New consultations between Ukraine and Russia in Belarus started
Ukrainian and Russian delegations have started a new round of talks in Belarus. They meet for the third time for consultations in an attempt to end the conflict between the two countries. The two parties already met on Monday and Thursday last week, but those talks did not lead to a breakthrough.
The government in Kiev aims for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops.
The Kremlin says it will halt its “special military operation” in Ukraine, as Russia calls the invasion, “in the blink of an eye,” provided the country meets certain conditions. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine cease its military actions, enshrine the country’s neutral status in its constitution and recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Ukraine must also recognize the renegade regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.