Makei: Security of Russian and Ukrainian negotiators is our sacred duty

The negotiators from Russia and Ukraine can feel completely secure in Belarus. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement before Russia-Ukraine talks began on 28 February, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei said: “Dear friends, the president of Belarus has asked me to greet you, welcome you, and facilitate your work as much as possible. As it was agreed with the presidents Zelenskyy and Putin, you can feel completely secure. It is our sacred duty.”

A Ukrainian delegation and a Russian one are holding the first negotiations in Belarus today. The meeting is taking place on the bank of the Pripyat River in Gomel Oblast. The exact location is not specified due to security reasons.

The Russian delegation is led by Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky. The delegation also includes a deputy defense minister, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Rudenko, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Leonid Slutsky and Ambassador of Russia to Belarus Boris Gryzlov. The Ukrainian delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Adviser to the Head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak, Head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia, MP Rustem Umerov and First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group Andriy Kostin.