Beyza Binnur Dönmez
28 February 2022•Update: 28 February 2022
ANKARA / GOMEL, Belarus
Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia ended on Monday, five days after Moscow launched a military operation against its western neighbor.
Ukraine's delegation arrived on Monday morning at the Gomel region of Belarus, which borders both sides to the conflict. The Russian delegation had come to the meeting location on Sunday.
After the 5-hours long talks, both sides agreed to hold a second round of negotiations to achieve a cease-fire soon.
Vladimir Medinsky, the counselor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that they discussed all the items on the agenda one by one. "We found some points that we can predict in common positions," he said.
Stressing that they agreed on the continuation of the negotiation process, he said the next round of talks will take place on the Belarusian-Polish border in the coming days.
He added that each delegation will consult with the head of state of their country before the next meeting.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told reporters that the main subject of the talks was the cessation of conflicts on the Ukrainian territory and the achievement of a cease-fire.
Noting that the main lines of a series of issues were determined by the parties, he said that the negotiating parties will go to the capitals of their countries to implement these decisions.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said that the talks between Russia and Ukraine were extremely important.
He said some "cautious and optimistic" agreements had been reached considering the closing statements of the delegations.
He said they are glad to host such an event in Belarus as his country is ready to do what is necessary to solve all crises and problems.
Russia's attack on Ukraine entered its fifth day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention last Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.
The military move was met by an outcry from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against the Kremlin.
Russia has been further isolated as its airlines have been banned from traveling in European airspace, as well as Canadian airspace, and a number of its banks have been kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.
At least 102 civilians have so far been killed in Ukraine and more than 500,000 others have fled the country, according to UN officials on Monday.
Ukraine says more than 350 civilians have been killed and over 1,600 injured during attacks by Russian forces.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar
