KIEV, Dec. 22 - Belarus has always advocated peace in Ukraine and is ready to continue assisting the peace talks with Minsk acting as a neutral platform, President Alexander Lukashenko said at talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Kiev on Sunday.

"I sincerely want peace in Ukraine and everything to be alright," the Belarusian leader said.

Lukashenko also pointed to an increase in trade with Ukraine, despite the difficult situation in Donbas. "Trade between Ukraine and Belarus has not dropped but even soared. And what is important is that today we have all our contracts 100% paid," said Lukashenko, adding that "we don't have the same with any other country."