UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has lauded the role of Belarus and, personally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the Ukrainian conflict settlement.

The UN Secretary General pointed to the smart policy held by the Belarusian president as regards the Ukrainian situation and said the ongoing ceasefire in Ukraine had been achieved thanks to the agreement signed in Minsk. He made the statement at a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich in New York City.

Ban said relations maintained by Belarus with both Ukraine and Russia put the country in a very good position and he expected the dialogue would assist in the improvement of the situation, the Belarusian government press service reported on Monday.

The frank dialogue held in Minsk achieved a breakthrough and moved the situation into a peaceful channel, and the hostilities started to subside, Myasnikovich said. "The Belarusian side is demonstrating initiative in the discussion of ways out of this crisis. We are glad that the sides in the conflict are listening to our voice. We are confident the conflict will be resolved shortly as it has passed its peak. The dialogue is in progress, people are listening to each other and their positions are being reconciled," the Belarusian prime minister said.

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