Russia, Ukraine talks end with no conclusion

• Ukraine demands an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of Russian forces

• Negotiators are expected to meet again to discuss the situation

Talks between Russia and Ukraine on cease-fire ended without any results on Monday as Ukraine is determined to not surrender to Russia.

Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Belarus, which neighbours both the countries, to de-escalate the situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Negotiators are expected to meet again to discuss the situation.

“Ukraine is ready to continue seeking a diplomatic solution, but Ukraine is not ready to surrender or capitulate,” said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, reported CNBC.

Ukraine demands an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of Russian forces from various cities of Ukraine. Russian troops are currently approaching the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

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“I’m a diplomat, I have to believe in the success of talks, but at the same time my main goal as a diplomat now is to impose more sanctions on Russia, to bring more weapons to Ukraine and to isolate Russia as much as we can in the international arena so I’m focused on this part of diplomacy,” Kubela said.

“We stand not only for ourselves but for the world order as we all know it,” he added.

Many Ukrainians have fled the country amid the war to Eastern Europe, while many decided to fight and defend their nation.

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Russia has faced many sanctions by the U.S. and Europe since it conducted attacks on major Ukrainian cities.

Economy of Russia has also been hammered as ruble, its currency, hit a record low on Monday plunging as much as 119.50 per dollar, a 30% fall from Friday’s close.

The central bank of Russia also hiked the country’s key interest rate to 20% from 9.5% after the fall in ruble.

Picture Credits: Reuters