MOSCOW, May 8 - Ukraine is de facto phasing out its participation in the activities of the Commonwealth of Independent States but its formal withdrawal from the organization is unlikely to happen, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"The Ukrainian side is de facto phasing out its participation in the CIS activities, not financing the common budget, not taking part in planned events, and has recalled its permanent representative. At the same time, Ukraine's withdrawal from the CIS is unlikely to happen," Lukashenko said at an informal CIS summit in Moscow.

Lukashenko said he has talked a lot with Ukrainian leaders.