Ukraine calls for ceasefire as talks with Russia begin
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The delegation, including Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, arrived on Monday morning. The Russian foreign ministry said the talks had begun.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei welcomed delegations from Ukraine and Russia for talks on Monday, assuring delegates that they should feel “completely safe,” CNN reports.
“Dear friends, the President of Belarus asked me to welcome you and to provide everything for your work, as agreed with President Zelensky and President Putin. You may feel completely safe here. This is our sacred duty,” Makei said.
Hopes are not high for the talks – in his address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he didn’t expect a breakthrough, but said the next 24 hours would be crucial.
The Ukrainian president’s office says it wants an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces.
Meanwhile Moscow wants to reach an agreement that was in the interests of both sides, according to Russian negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, BBC reports.
The exact location of the talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday has been kept secret for security reasons.
The talks are in Belarus, but the only location that has been announced is that they are on the banks of the Pripyat river in the Gomel region of Belarus.
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