Filenews 28 February 2022
The whole world has its eyes turned to Gomel, Belarus, where talks are under way between Russia and Ukraine to find a solution and stop the war.
The two delegations were welcomed by the Belarusian Foreign Minister, Vladimir McKay, and conveyed the message that they are safe. Journalists were then strictly asked to leave the room.
Who participates in the delegations
The Ukrainian delegation is led by Defence Minister Oleksiy Rezhnikov, who is accompanied by Mihailo Pontoljak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency. The leader of Volodymyr Zelenskiy's party, David Arakamia, is also present.
The Russian delegation consists of representatives of the presidential administration, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as the State Duma.
The Russian side will not proceed with an update on Russia-Ukraine positions in the negotiations in Belarus, the Kremlin said, adding that negotiators should communicate silently.
The objectives of the two sides
Russia is interested in reaching an agreement that is in the interest of both sides in its talks with Ukraine, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinski said today, before negotiations between the two sides begin.
According to Medinsky, the Russian delegation has not slept all night, while the time the Ukrainian delegation would arrive in Belarus has changed many times.
According to Ukraine's presidency, the main objective of the talks is a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
