Delegations from Russia and Ukraine yesterday held their first round of peace talks in Belarus. After talks ended, reports emerged that both sides will return to respective capitals for further consultations before second round of talks.
The Ukrainian delegation members included Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak among others.
The Russian delegation members included officials from the foreign and defense ministries as well as president’s office.
According to reports, next round of peace talks will be held in coming days. The Russian delegation said both sides have identified certain points from which they can predict general positions.
The next round of negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine will be held on the Polish-Belarusian border, Sputnik reported, citing Russia's delegation head Vladimir Medinsky.
"The delegations are returning to their capitals for consultations and have discussed the possibility of meeting for a second round of negotiations soon," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak was quoted as saying by AFP.
Radio Liberty says talks between Kiev and Moscow have ended without a breakthrough as Russian troops closed in on the Ukrainian capital and other major cities in the face of deepening international isolation over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine last week.
Earlier the Ukrainian president’s office said Kiev’s goal for the discussions was an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the European Union to immediately admit Ukraine as a member state via a special procedure.
“Our goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal. I’m sure that’s fair. I am sure we deserve it,” he said in a video speech shared on social media.
