War ravaged Ukraine has called for a Russian immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of troops as Kyiv delegation arrives for talks with Russian negotiators on the fifth day of the Kremlin’s offensive against the country.
A statement by the Ukrainian presidency said the key issue of the talks would be an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian delegation arrived at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to take part in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation. The key issue of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine,” the Ukrainian presidency says in a statement.
The Ukrainian delegation arrived in the area of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to take part in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation.
According to Ukrinform, the delegation includes David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction, Oleksiy Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podoliak, advisor to the Head of the President’s Office, Andriy Kostin, First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group, MP Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had announced on Sunday that he had a call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
After the conversation, it was agreed that the Ukrainian delegation will meet with the Russian delegation without any preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border near the Prypiat River.
Zelensky said, the Belarusian President, Lukashenko has claimed responsibility for ensuring that “all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory remain on the ground at the time of the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks and return.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky on Monday urged the European Union (EU) to grant his country “immediate” membership.
“We appeal to the European Union for the immediate accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure.
“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible”, the 44-year-old leader said in a new video address.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was declared.
Zelensky said 16 children had died during the first four days of Moscow’s assault and another 45 were wounded as he hailed “Ukrainian heroes.”
The UN’s human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Monday that at least 102 civilians, including seven children, had been killed but warned the real numbers were probably far higher.”
