Russia's presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, speaks to the media ahead of expected talks with Ukrainian officials, as Russia's State Duma member Leonid Slutsky, right, and Russian ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov stand beside him, in the Brest region, Belarus on March 2.BELTA/Reuters
A Ukrainian delegation has departed for a second round of talks with Russia, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters on Wednesday.
Earlier Russian news agencies reported that Russia’s negotiators expect Ukrainian officials to arrive in Belarus to kick off the next round of peace negotiations on Thursday morning.
Russia captures parts of Kherson as troops make strategic gains in southern Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russians make strategic gains; Zelensky warns of orders to ‘erase us’
As Russian forces laid siege to major Ukrainian cities on the seventh day of the invasion, Podolyak said he could not confirm the delegation’s route for security reasons.
After nearly a week, Russia has yet to achieve its aim of overthrowing Ukraine’s government, but has, according to the Ukrainian emergency service, killed more than 2,000 civilians and destroyed hospitals, kindergartens and homes.
Moscow denies targeting civilians and says it aims to disarm Ukraine, a country of over 40 million people, in a “special military operation”.
Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.