POSSIBLE PEACE
Russia-Ukraine peace talks: How are the negotiations going?
AFTER a week of explosions, Ukraine has agreed to enter peace talks in Belarus.
The Ukrainian goal is for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops.
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When did Russia-Ukraine peace talks begin?
Initially Ukraine was refusing to take part in peace talks based in Belarus, which allowed Russia troops to use its border with Ukraine to invade.
The country is an ally of Moscow and was chosen by the Kremlin.
The talks began at 10am GMT on Monday, February 28, 2022, with Kyiv’s delegation led by Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
Former Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky is heading the Russian delegation.
They are being held at the Rumyantsev-Paskevich residence on the Belarusian border in Gomel.
It is unclear how long these talks will go on for.
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What has been said in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks?
The Ukrainians hope that the talks will result in "an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine,” according to a statement from the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Due to sanctions against Russia, the rouble - Russia's currency - has fallen to a record low, which could prompt Russian delegates to push for economic results.
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Expectations are not high for the outcome and Ukraine has asked for an immediate acceptance into the EU.
Medinsky said: "As every hour of conflict brings new casualties among Ukrainian soldiers, we are definitely interested in reaching any agreements as soon as possible".
He added: "But those agreements should be for the benefit of both sides."
Ukraine has put up a much stronger military fight than was anticipated by experts.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy, 44, said on February 28, 2022, that 4,500 Russian troops had been killed so far.
Zelenskyy also claimed 16 children had been killed since Russia invaded.
He added that 45 children had been wounded over four days.
Russia’s Defence Minister Major General Igor Konashenkov gave no figures on Russia's dead and wounded.
According to open-source intelligence analyst Ruslan Leviyev, a founder of the Conflict Intelligence Team, Russia has suffered at least 500 deaths, as of February 27, 2022.
But as in all wars it is hard to have figures that are accurate and independently verified.
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Ukraine's capital city Kyiv and Kharkiv have both been hit by heavy fire and explosions.
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