Zelensky: Negotiations "albeit small", chance for de-escalation exists

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he believes that the talks between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia have "albeit small, but still a chance" for de-escalation.

"So that later, not a single citizen of Ukraine would have doubt that I, as president, did not try to stop the war, when there was, albeit a small, but still a chance," Zelensky said in a recorded public address.

The Ukrainian president pointed out that he does not really "believe in the outcome of this meeting, but let them try."

Earlier, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported the Russian and Ukrainian delegations had begun arriving in Belarus for negotiations, as Kiev agreed this morning to hold negotiations in the Belarusian city of Gomel.

Our correspondent revealed that Russia’s conditions in the Gomel negotiations will be strict and not subject to concessions.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus for discussions with Ukrainians and is ready to start them in the city of Gomel.

"In accordance with the agreements we made, a Russian delegation, which includes representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and other government agencies, including the presidential administration, has arrived in Belarus for talks with the Ukrainians. We'll be ready to start these talks in Gomel," Peskov told reporters.