Russian delegation arrives in Belarus for peace talks, Ukraine President Zelensky rejects

A team of delegates from Moscow arrived in Belarus to begin "first negotiations" with Ukrainian counterparts, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. group includes high-ranking officials from foreign, defence ministries and Russian President Vlimir Putin's office. delegation is currently waiting in Belarusian city of Gomel and "now waiting for Ukrainians." Peskov said, as quoted by Associated Press.

However, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who h initially proposed diplomatic talks with Russia before latter unleashed "unprovoked" war on its neighbour, refused to sit for talks with Moscow after Russian forces killed over 100 civilians and military personnel in Ukraine on first day of attacks.

developments come as Putin on Friday asserted that he is rey to send his representatives to Belarus for talks with Kyiv provided Ukraine "laid down its weapons". Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which is a strong ally of Moscow h n promised Peskov that he would "create conditions" for such a summit to take place.

Ukraine President Zelensky rejects Russia's talks offer

Reiterating his stance, Zelensky on Sunday yet again rejected Russian offer to hold diplomatic talks in Belarus, saying that Minsk itself was "complicit" in Russian invasion. However, he clarified that Kyiv is rey to engage in discussions "in or locations" if Russia is interested in a fruitful resolution of conflict.

Russia-Ukraine war

developments come as conflict between Russia and Ukraine has transpired into war after Russian President Vlimir Putin on February 24 unleashed military operations on Ukraine after months of unabated military build-up along eastern Europe borders of nearly 1,50,000 soldiers. Despite intensifying forces at eastern borders of Ukraine for over months Putin and his cabinet have repeatedly suggested y pose no threat to Ukraine's sovereignty. However, on February 21, Putin signed a decree unilaterally recognising two breakaway regions of Ukraine as "independent." decision drew severe flak from world leers.

So far, at least 198 civilians and military personnel have been killed and over 1,000 injured since Thursday. On or hand, around 1 lakh people have been forced to be internally displaced as situation deteriorated. Meanwhile, in swift response to Russia's destabilising actions, West induced stringent measures prohibiting Moscow-based entities to engage in tre with several countries like US, UK, Australia, Cana, Japan, and more.

(Image: AP)