A few hours before the start of the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations on Monday at the border between Ukraine and Belarus, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky showed firmness and asked the Russian troops to “deposit the arms”.
The Ukrainian head of state also asked the European Union for the “immediate” integration of his country. “I’m sure it’s possible,” he added.
During these first discussions since the Russian invasion, which began last Thursday, Ukraine intends to propose “an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of (Russian) troops from Ukrainian territory,” said the Ukrainian presidency.
The day before, the Ukrainian president had declared that he did not really believe in a result at the end of this meeting. But “we have to try,” he said.
the specter of a full-scale assault
The talks come as the Russian offensive is met with resistance from the Ukrainian military and sweeping Western sanctions are beginning to shake the Russian economy.
Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said he wanted to “find an agreement” with Kiev that would be “in the interests of both parties”.
On Monday, the Russian army assured that civilians could leave Kiev “freely” and accused the Ukrainian authorities of using them as a “human shield”, raising the specter of a large-scale assault.
The 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly were also to meet on Monday in an emergency special session to decide on the conflict.
