Results of second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Belarus

The Russian and Ukrainian delegations have completed the second round of negotiations held today in Belarus.

"During the negotiations, the parties discussed military, humanitarian and future political settlement of the conflict. The positions were written down point by point, and mutual understanding was reached on some of them", Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, aide to the President of the Russian Federation, said.

The main issue that has been resolved today is the question of rescuing civilians caught in the zone of military clashes. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and Ukraine agreed on the format of the regime for maintaining humanitarian corridors for the passage of civilians and on a possible temporary cessation of hostilities in the humanitarian corridor sector during the passage of the civilian population. I think this is significant progress", he concluded.

The head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said that the parties managed to reach an understanding on the crucial issue of humanitarian corridors. "Of course, the mechanics have yet to be determined, and first of all by the military departments. But, nevertheless, we now have something to answer to dozens of people whose children, relatives, parents are currently in dangerous zones on the territory of Ukraine", he stressed.

"I think that in the near future they will be given the opportunity to leave these zones safely. There is nothing more important, since these are human lives", Slutsky added.

The deputy said that parliamentary efforts would be needed in the coming days, as some agreements would have to be consolidated and then national ratification procedures would have to be carried out. However, according to him, the question might not be so fast.

"Nevertheless, the implementation of the agreements that have been reached and will be consolidated at the highest level in the very next few days, or maybe even the hours and those that will be reached during the next round of negotiations, should not be delayed in any case. Responsibility is extremely high. We continue to work", the parliamentarian concluded.