Ukrainian FM: Our border is open to Belarusians

Ukraine said on Wednesday its borders remained open to Belarusian citizens but Kyiv would deal harshly with any attempt by Belarusian or Russian intelligence services to abuse that openness.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking in Lisbon, said any strengthening of Russia’s position in Belarus as a result of the crisis posed a threat to Ukraine’s national security.

“Though the border with Ukraine is free and open to the citizens of Belarus we will harshly react to any attempts to use, to abuse the openness of Ukraine by Belarusian or Russian intelligence services,” he told a news conference in the Portuguese capital. He did not elaborate.