First round of talks fail as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine cities

Minsk (Belarus): The first round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, aimed at ending the ongoing offensive, concluded with no immediate agreements late on Monday.

The talks took place near the Belarus-Ukraine border as Russian troops continued their attack on Ukrainian cities, including the second-largest, Kharkiv, on the fifth day of the invasion.

An aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin said talks with Ukrainian officials lasted nearly five hours, reports Al Jazeera.

Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation, said the two sides “found certain points on which common positions could be foreseen.” 

Meanwhile, the two sides have also agreed to hold another round of talks soon on the Polish-Belarusian border, Medinsky said.

The Russian and Ukrainian sides had identified some priority topics on which they have outlined certain decisions but it isn’t clear what those priority topics may be.

However, the Ukrainian side is looking for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the former-Soviet Union country, whereas the Russian side is seeking guarantees about Ukraine’s neutrality and that it would never join NATO.

Owing to the offensive, Russia has been isolated on the global stage, facing mounting pressure of war crimes, besides sanctions smashing its economy and FIFA banning it from the World Cup.

At least 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed since the Russian invasion began, Ukraine told a special session of the UN General Assembly today.