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At a time when Russia continues to bomb several cities in Ukraine as well as the country's capital Kiev, delegations from Ukraine and Russia are preparing to sit at the same table again in order to try to find a middle ground to take the first step towards a ceasefire.
Expectations from this meeting - if it does take place as many argue that it cannot take place amid heavy shelling - are low as Moscow's attitude shows that it wants to raze entire cities in Ukraine to the ground and shows no willingness to back down.
The two sides are again being asked to talk about how to stop the bloodshed caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The two sides are again being asked to talk about how to stop the bloodshed caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Low expectations
A second round of talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is reportedly scheduled for March 2, Ukrainian media outlet Zerkalo Nedeli reported on Tuesday, Russian news agency TASS reported.
Another Ukrainian media outlet, Glavkom, citing sources in the Ukrainian delegation, revealed the terms proposed by the sides at the first meeting.
It reported that Russia reportedly asked Ukraine:
-To commit and document its status outside the NATO bloc at the parliamentary level and organize a referendum on the issue.
-Recognize the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on the administrative borders of the respective regions.
-Withdraw its demand for the return of Crimea to Ukraine.
Ukraine, according to Glavkom, has called for a ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.
Zelensky: "Stop bombing us so we can talk."
Meanwhile, in a resounding statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Russia must stop bombing Ukrainian cities before meaningful ceasefire talks can begin, according to Reuters.
Speaking to reporters in an interview inside a heavily guarded government compound, Zelensky urged NATO members to impose a no-fly zone to stop Russian aviation.
He insisted that a no-fly zone would be a precautionary measure and was not intended to "drag" the NATO alliance into war with Russia.
Source.gr
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