Second round of peace talks on 3 March

Russia and Ukraine will hold a second round of peace talks near Brest on 3 March, head of the Russian delegation, Russian President Aide Vladimir Medinsky told the media on 2 March, BelTA has learned.

The Russian delegation arrived in Belarus for talks on 2 March. The meeting was confirmed both by Russia and Ukraine the day before. However, when it became clear that the Ukrainian delegation would not make it to the negotiating venue in time, Vladimir Medinsky decided to make a statement.

The politician said that the Russian side arrived in the same composition. He recalled that during the first round of talks in Gomel Oblast on 28 February, the parties voiced their positions and proposals for an immediate ceasefire. “We have generally found an understanding for a number of proposals at the negotiating table. However, the Ukrainian side took time for consultations with Kiev regarding some of the most principal ones, which was quite expected,” the Russian presidential aide said.

He also explained that the Ukrainian delegation had already left Kiev and was on its way to Belarus. Belarus is responsible for the security of the parties on its territory.
 
“We arrived early. They will probably be here tomorrow morning,” the politician said and thanked Belarus for its hospitality and very professional and prompt organization of the negotiations.

When asked who chose the place for the negotiations, Vladimir Medinsky said that it was a joint decision: “We decided on it together. It suits both us and the Ukrainian side. Brest has a good airport. This Belarusian city is close to the Polish border, which is good for the Ukrainian side as they are going to the talks through Poland.”