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Negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians for a ceasefire have been underway since noon on Monday at the "Aleksandrovka Vilcha" point in the Belarusian city of Gomel.
Shortly after 15:30 Cyprus time, the Belarusian Nexta agency reported that the negotiations had been concluded, information that was denied by the Russian media (Russia Today and RIA Novosti). "Negotiations are ongoing," a source told RT."
According to leaks, the Ukrainian delegation in the talks with Russia is demanding the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and Donbass, according to the Ukrainian president's office, Ukrainian media reported.
The meeting is taking place on Belarusian territory, very close to the border with Ukraine, in the Gomel region. The Ukrainian delegation arrived there by helicopters. It includes Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Deputy Foreign Minister Tochitskyi, Zelensky's adviser Mikhailo Podolyak, MPs Arakamia and Umerov and the representative of the Trilateral Contact Group, Kostin.
Moscow is represented by President Putin's right-hand man Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, the head of the International State Duma Committee Leonid Slutsky and Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Grislov.
See pictures from the meeting room:
Μπορέλ: We welcome the first step towards resolving the crisis
European diplomacy chief Josep Borel has welcomed the start of the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine in Gomel. "This is the first step, we welcome the meeting," RIA Novosti reported."
At the same time, he noted that the issue of Ukraine's EU membership is not on the agenda. "This issue is not on the current agenda. We need to focus now on more practical things. We need to formulate an answer in the coming hours, not years. Ukraine has European prospects, but we have to fight the aggressor," he said."
"Lukashenko hopes to resolve the crisis"
Meanwhile, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said President Aleksandr Lukashenko hopes to resolve all crisis issues between Russia and Ukraine during negotiations.
"President Lukashenko hopes that a solution will be found to all crisis issues and all Belarusians are praying for it," Mackey said at the start of the Russian-Ukrainian talks. According to the foreign ministry chief, any requests and proposals by members of the delegations involved in the negotiations will be "implemented implicitly."
Moscow wants an agreement in the interests of both sides
Russia is interested in reaching an agreement that is in the interests of both sides in its talks with Ukraine, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said earlier today. "Every hour that the conflict is prolonged, there are Ukrainian civilians and soldiers dying. We agreed in order to reach an agreement, but it should be in the interests of both sides," the Russian negotiator and Kremlin adviser told TV networks.
Source: protothema.gr
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