"Russia-Ukraine Talks Begin"... First Negotiation 5 Days After Outbreak (Summary)

First Face-to-Face Negotiations After Russia-Ukraine Clashes
Differences Emerge Over Meeting Agenda, Outcome Uncertain

Russian Delegation Leader Arrives at Belarus Negotiation Venue
(Homel AFP=Yonhap News) Vladimir Medinsky, Presidential Aide leading the Russian delegation negotiating with Ukraine, is meeting with reporters outside the negotiation venue in Homel, Belarus, on the 28th (local time). [Provided by BELTA News Agency] 2022.2.28
jsmoon@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Official negotiations between Russia and Ukraine began five days after Russia invaded Ukraine.

On the 28th (local time), according to major foreign media, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, announced via text message that the talks started around 1:10 PM (7:10 PM Korean time) that day. Russian Interfax news agency also reported, citing Belarus state TV channel ONT, that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine had begun. The talks are said to be held in the Gomel region of Belarus, near the northern border of Ukraine.

The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrived at the venue the day before and waited for the Ukrainian delegation. The Kremlin stated that the Russian delegation included not only presidential office officials but also personnel from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the Ukrainian presidential office, the Ukrainian delegation included presidential advisor Podolyak, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the ruling party 'Servant of the People,' and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The talks were originally scheduled for the previous day. However, the Ukrainian delegation delayed several times, citing safety concerns, as they did not come directly to Belarus through their northern border controlled by Russian forces but passed through Poland. The Ukrainian delegation, having passed through Poland, arrived at the venue by helicopter.

However, both sides showed differences even in setting the agenda for the talks, making it uncertain whether the negotiations will yield results. The Russian side stated that they would focus on discussing the neutralization of Ukraine before the talks. On the other hand, the Ukrainian side insists that an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops should be the main agenda items of the talks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.