MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – I do not see Ukraine's possible accession to NATO as a potential threat to Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview to editor-in-chief of the Ekho Moskvy radio station Aleksei Venediktov on 24 December, BelTA learned.

“I do not see it that way. I have already told Putin about this and I will tell you: the biggest threat to Russia, as far as Ukraine is concerned, will not be accession to NATO, but if the ‘nazis' as you brand them will come to power and get their hands on all the weapons and ammunition. I certainly do not agree with the way you call them. I do not want to insult anyone. Everyone has their own concepts. But you know these radical national forces in Ukraine. This will be scarier for you than NATO. You think about it. It is a dangerous thing," the Belarusian leader said.

At the same time, the head of state stated that if Ukraine joins NATO, it will not add security: “Neither for us, much less for Russia”.

“Of course, it would be better if Ukraine pursued a course similar to the one it did at least after the collapse of the Soviet Union. There is no need to blame Petro Poroshenko, Yanukovych, anyone else. All the presidents are to blame for the situation that Volodimir Zelensky has not to deal with now,” the president said.

He stressed that Belarus has very good and close relations with Ukraine. Belarus is ready to continue promoting a peaceful settlement in the country and developing relations with it.

Several years ago Belarus suggested that Ukraine and Russia took their common border under control with the help of peacekeeping forces. However, both Ukraine and Russia refused the idea. Belarus was also ready to help with the elections on the territory not controlled by Ukraine. This proposal did not find any support from the partners, either.

“Those could have been giant steps towards peace if the border was under control, if the elections were held and economic relations were gradually restored. It would be then clear what to do,” added the head of state. “We were ready to get involved in that fight in order to stabilize the situation there and save the lives of our people.”