Ukraine demanded an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine in preparation for negotiations with Russia.
Negotiations began on Monday after noon, said an adviser to the president of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak by text message to the news agency Reuters.
This is known at the beginning of the negotiations.
1. The meeting will be held near the border with Belarus
The meeting is on the Belarusian side of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, right next to the border. Belarus is supporting Russia in the ongoing attack and has allowed Russian troops to pass through its territory.
2. Ukraine has, inter alia, sent a Minister of Defense to the negotiations
The Ukrainian delegation has arrived at the meeting place, the Ukrainian presidential office confirmed earlier.
At least on the Ukrainian side will be the Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov and the Secretary of State Mykola Tochytskyi.
The Russian state media has published a video in which representatives of Ukraine arrived on the scene by helicopter.
The Russian delegation will be represented by, among others, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Parliament Leonid Slutsky.
3. Expectations for results are low
The main goal of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine, the Ukrainian presidential agency said in a statement.
Before meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelenskyi called on Russia to stop fighting to save lives.
Negotiations are being launched in a situation where Russia’s attack has not progressed as expected. Ukraine has been able to prevent Russia, for example, from taking over the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
The talks were reportedly agreed between the President of Ukraine and the President of Belarus. At first, Ukraine was not at all willing to take part in the negotiations.