Ukraine, Russia want to continue the talks, China concurs
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Could there be a chance for de-escalation?
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Delegates from the Russian State Duma and the Ukrainian Parliament meet for talks in Belarus on February 28. (TASS)
On Monday, Ukrainian and Russian delegates sat down in direct negotiations between the two countries since the start of the Russian military operation on Ukraine.
The talks lasted for five hours; Ukraine's key demands were an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops.
The delegations headed back to their respective countries to discuss the negotiations, with the Ukrainian side claiming that they hold little expectation from the talks.
According to the adviser to the Ukrainian President's Chief of Staff Mikhail Podolyak, "The parties determined a number of priority subjects with certain solutions mapped out," adding that in order for "the solutions to have any opportunities to be implemented, the sides left for their capitals for consultations."
The negotiations concluded with a common base that Ukraine and Russia are ready to continue them, according to the Director of the Fund for Assistance to 21st Century Technologies, Ivan Konovalov. The discussion is expected to have revolved around the status of Ukraine, as opposed to the situation "on the ground," according to Konovalov.
What isn't very clear, however, is what concessions Ukraine is willing to make, according to the Coordinator of the European Dialogue Expert Group in Ukraine Georgy Chizhov.
Upon the start of the special military operation, Lukashenko said that Kiev is losing - so it will need to make concessions to meet Russia's demands. To meet at the negotiating table, a number of premises need to be fulfilled: First would be the demilitarization of Ukraine, their refusal to join NATO, and the cessation of aggressions in Donbass.
Lukashenko, who hosted the talks, said that any Ukrainian concession would be better than being defeated in the war: "Yes, they [the requirements] will be stricter in relation to Ukraine. But what about today if you lose? Of course, the winner will dictate something to you. But let's be realistic: of course, they will dictate something, but it will be much better than if Ukraine is defeated in the war," Lukashenko said.
He even suggested that the two sides may have discussed making the Russian language a secondary language in Ukraine.
China encourages diplomatic efforts
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, China has welcomed the beginning of talks between Russia and Ukraine, and hopes this process will continue.
"China has always supported and encouraged diplomatic efforts that facilitate the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, it welcomes the beginning of peaceful talks between Russia and Ukraine," he said. "We noted that the sides had agreed upon holding a new round of talks in the near future. We hope that the sides will continue to maintain the process of dialogue and negotiations," the diplomat noted.
Wenbin also hopes that the two sides will look for a political solution that will take into account both sides' legitimate concerns in terms of security, facilitating long-term stability in Europe.
