Delegations of Kyiv, Moscow present in Belarus, aimed at ending hostilities

Minsk (Belarus): Delegation-level talks between Russia and Ukraine have begun.

The peace talks are aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries.

It is important to note that this is the first meeting between the two countries ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to launch a major offensive in Ukraine last week. 

Kyiv has demanded an immediate ‘ceasefire’ as well as the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory. 

The talks are taking place at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

Putin had vowed to "demilitarise" and "denasify" Ukraine when he launched his offensive, accusing Kyiv of orchestrating an alleged "genocide" of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the supply of weapons pouring into Ukraine from Western countries was “extremely dangerous and destabilising,” and not conducive to restoring order in the country.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is sceptical about the possibility of a breakthrough.  

On the other side, Belarus is also preparing to send soldiers into Ukraine in support of the Russian invasion as soon as Monday, in a move that increases tensions.