Ukraine: Zelensky says ready for talks with Russia, but not in Belarus

LAST UPDATE: 11.43

The Kremlin said today it was ready to negotiate with Ukraine, proposing as a meeting place the city of Gomel in Belarus, from where Russia invaded the neighboring country, while the Russian president hailed the “heroism” of his forces.

A delegation of representatives of the “Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and other services, mainly the presidential administration, has arrived in Belarus for talks with the Ukrainians”, according to a spokesman for the Russian presidency, quoted by Russian news agencies.

The Russian side gives a deadline to Ukraine until 3 p.m. to agree on a meeting in the city of Gomel, broadcasts the agency Ria Novosti.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to negotiate with Moscow, but not in the Belarusian city of Gomel, because the country serves as a rearguard base for the invasion of Ukraine, saying “any other city” would be appropriate.

“Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul, Baku. We suggested all these cities. And any other city would suit us,” he said in a video posted on the internet.

The Kremlin had already talked about talks yesterday, Friday, but Ukrainian officials said it was not a serious proposal, with Moscow seeking to secure Ukraine’s surrender.

Shortly before the proposal for dialogue, President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army to stage a coup and described the country’s authorities as a “gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis.”

On the occasion of Special Forces Day, Putin hailed the latter’s role in the invasion, expressing “special recognition to those who heroically do their duty” in Russia invaded by Russia, despite international outcry. last Thursday, February 24th.