Ukraine and Russia commence peace talks at Belarusian border

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak has confirmed that a peace talk between his country and Russia is underway at the border of Belarus.  The Ukraine President’s office has said its main goals are an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops. The delegation includes Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak among others. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, said “as every hour of conflict brings new casualties among Ukrainian soldiers, we are definitely interested in reaching any agreements as soon as possible”. “But those agreements should be for the benefit of both sides,” he added. It was also learnt that the Russian delegation arrived the meeting location on Sunday February 27.  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.