Ukraine President Zelenskyy Agrees To Hold Talks With Russia at Belarus Border
Ukraine’s president says Kyiv has agreed to send a delegation to the Ukrainian-Belarusian border for discussions with Russian authorities.
“We have agreed that the Ukrainian team would meet with Russian [officials] on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, in the Pripyat river area, without previous restrictions,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
Related: Ukraine Claims Full Control of Kharkiv After Russian Attack, Regional Governor Confirms
According to Zelenskyy, he has spoken with Lukashenko.
The declaration came after Kyiv refused discussions with Moscow in Belarus, accusing it of allowing Russian forces to infiltrate Ukraine over its borders, according to the Ukrainian president’s Telegram message channel.
Zelenskyy did not disclose any more information on his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Following his discussion with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement.
“We agreed that the Ukrainian delegation will meet with the Russian delegation on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River, without preconditions,” the statement stated.
“All planes, helicopters, and missiles stationed on Belarusian soil will remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s journey, negotiations, and return,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
Because Russia’s invasion was launched in part from Belarus, Zelensky had previously stated that he would not receive a Russian delegation on Belarusian soil.
Neither Russia nor Belarus has made any public announcements on the possibility of talks.
UPDATE:
- After street battle with Russian forces, Regional Governor Oleh Sinegubov claims Ukrainian military have complete control of the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv.
- According to Kyiv’s mayor, there are no Russian soldiers in the capital, and the city’s defences are strong.
- Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says the country is ready for peace negotiations, but not in Belarus, as Moscow prefers.
- Zelenskyy claims to have spoken with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, although he does not elaborate.
- According to the UN, more than 360,000 Ukrainians have fled the country since Moscow launched its attack.
- Western nations slap extensive sanctions on Russia and move to arm Ukraine.