Delegations from Russia and Ukraine started talks in southeastern Belarus on Monday with solely modest hopes for a breakthrough that might finish combating that began when Russian forces invaded Ukraine final week.
Ukraine initially rejected attending talks in Belarus as a result of Russian forces stationed there have joined the invasion. However then Ukrainian officers agreed to ship a delegation to the assembly in Gomel, a metropolis close to the borders of Russia and Ukraine. “You possibly can really feel completely secure,” International Minister Vladimir Makei of Belarus instructed the delegates in the beginning of the assembly. “Any request or proposal you’ll have about immediately’s assembly can be taken under consideration and motion.”
Video from Belarus’s official information company confirmed a handful of delegates from both sides sitting down on reverse sides of an extended desk. The flags of Russia and Ukraine, along with that of Belarus, stood on the head of the desk whereas smaller flags on the desk denoted both sides.
{A photograph} launched by Belarus confirmed Ukrainian delegates arriving in a army helicopter for the talks. The Ukrainian delegation included the protection minister and deputy international minister, whereas Russia’s delegation was being led by Vladimir R. Medinsky, an adviser to President Vladimir V. Putin.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine mentioned earlier than the assembly that he anticipated little to return from the talks. He declined to conform to any situations or concessions earlier than discussions.
