President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (Photo: Tass)

In his state of the nation address to the Parliament on Friday, Lukashenko proposed a truce without the right to move groups of troops and transfer weapons and equipment. He also said it necessary to immediately start negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to bring peace to the region.

At a UN Security Council session the same day, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, said all the parties to the Ukraine conflict should show restraint, while the international community should create conditions for peace negotiations. Geng added that China will continue to play a constructive role in achieving a ceasefire and ending the conflict.

The International Monetary Fund said on Friday its executive board approved a four-year 15.6 billion USD loan for Ukraine to support the country's reconstruction.