Belarus Ready To Host Putin-Trump-Zelensky Trilateral Negotiations

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (Wikimedia Commons/men'smen

JAKARTA - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in an interview with Time magazine reiterated his country's readiness to hold trilateral negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin, his partner from the United States Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky from Ukraine, BeltA news agency reported Friday.

"Let's make our choice first. For example: the city of Minsk heroes, Istanbul, Geneva. It has been decided," said President Lukashenko, launching TASS on August 8.

"This meeting will take place in a month. We can discuss American-Russian relations on the first day, for example," he continued.

"On the second day, if we reach an agreement on several draft documents, we will invite Zelensky, Lukashenko (and others). That will look appropriate," said the President of Belarus.

According to President Lukashenko, President Putin would be delighted to meet to negotiate in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, while the American leader would also be satisfied with the venue.

"Preparations for this visit need to be made. If you want, I can handle it," said the Belarusian President.

"The American side, the Russian side," he continued.

"I am ready to carry it out and prepare for this meeting. For the sake of peace. So, let's start preparing it. You'll see how Zelensky will act. He will be stubborn and will fight him!" added President Lukashenko.

According to a previous statement from the Russian Presidential Adjutant, Yuri Ushakov, Moscow "approved" the US proposal to hold a private meeting between President Putin and President Trump.

The Kremlin aide said on Thursday deals regarding planning such gatherings had indeed been reached with American counterparts and both sides are currently engaged in "detailed preparations" for this meeting.

The meeting venue between Putin and Trump has been agreed upon, and the Kremlin will announce it "not long after," said the Russian president's aide.