A Ukrainian delegation arrives Belarus border for talks with Russia over increased tension and the occupation of the former, leading to the destruction of lives and property.
Ukraine’s Parliament said the delegation included David Arakhamia of the Servant of the People faction, Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine’s defense minister, Mykola Tochytsky, Ukraine’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, Mykhailo Podoliak, a presidential adviser, and others in a statement posted on Telegram.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, stated that the major focus of negotiations will be Ukraine’s demand for an immediate ceasefire and army withdrawal from the country.
However, if Ukraine merely puts its demands on the table without considering Russia’s, there may be no unanimity, leaving Putin with no choice except to raise the tempo.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia were expected to begin at around 9 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. ET).
Posting a photo of a long conference table Monday morning, Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “everything is ready to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations.”
The talks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had agreed for a delegation to meet with Russian counterparts on the Belarus border “without preconditions” after speaking with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted “responsibility for ensuring that all planes, helicopters, and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory will remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks, and return,” Zelenskyy’s office said.