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UKRAINE OPPOSES ISOLATING BELARUS. Ukraine supports democratic transformations in "any country of the world," Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's spokeswoman, Iryna Herashchenko, told reporters on May 18, but flatly opposes the international isolation of Belarus, Belapan reported on May 18. According to Herashchenko, Belarus and Ukraine maintain close economic and interpersonal contacts. "This sphere is very important for the president, and he will do his utmost to ensure that the Belarusian people feel that Ukraine is its partner and a friendly country," she said. Herashchenko noted that the Ukrainian president is aware of an appeal that a group of Belarusian activists sent him a few days before in which they spoke out against what they believe are Russia's plans to absorb Belarus. RK