Zelensky rejects talks in Belarus as Russian delegation arrives

Kiev, Ukraine | Xinhua | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday rejected Russia’s offer of holding negotiations in Belarus, suggesting alternative cities including Budapest and Warsaw for talks.

Zelensky made the remarks in a video address posted on his Telegram channel shortly after the Kremlin announced that a Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus and will be ready to start negotiations with Ukraine in the city of Gomel.

“We’re saying no to Minsk. Other cities can be a place to meet,” the president said. “Of course, we want peace, we want to meet, we want for the war to end. Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul, Baku — we have suggested all that to Russia,” he added.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a delegation including representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and other government agencies has arrived in Belarus.

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Xinhua