Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Ukraine seeks ‘immediate ceasefire’ and Russian withdrawal in first direct talks during Putin’s ongoing invasion

Date:

Kyiv — Ukrainian and Russian delegates met on Monday in the first direct negotiations between the two countries since Russia launched its invasion five days ago. The talks lasted for hours, and while they brought some hope of an end to the war, UkraineThe president and Kyiv residents made it clear that they expected little discussion. Even during the meeting there were reports of intense Russian bombing of cities in eastern Ukraine.

Russia will not explain its goals from the talks, but CBS News’ Haley Ott reported that Ukraine’s main demands are an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian forces. Russian officials said that the meeting ended early in the evening and that concerned delegations were heading back to their capitals to discuss negotiations.

The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was still on high alert on Monday, but residents were allowed out of their homes and shelters for the first time since Saturday night, when the local government – preparing to escalate the Russian siege on the city – said anyone out on the streets would treat it as an enemy.

Topshot - Ukraine - Russia - Conflict
A Russian troop carrier burns next to the body of an unidentified soldier during the fighting between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, February 27, 2022.

Sergey Popock/AFP/Getty Images


Hours before the start of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations at a site near the border with Belarus, Ukrainian officials said Russia again bombed major cities overnight. Defense officials said Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, came under intense artillery bombardment after Ukrainian forces retook it from Russian forces the day before.

0224-cbsn-cordes-grab.png
Explosions have been reported in Ukraine. (February 24, 2022)

CBS News


Meanwhile, pressure was mounting on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as the entire United Nations General Assembly convened extraordinary emergency meeting to discuss the crisis a day after Putin announced he had put his nuclear forces on alert in response to what he claimed were “aggressive statements” by NATO, and punished sanctions from the world’s richest nations.

See also  Liz Truss vows tax cuts after winning vote to be Britain's next prime minister

POPULAR

RELATED ARTICLES

How Climate Change Affects Turtle Nesting Sites: What You Need to Know

Climate change is an ever-growing concern, and its effects...

Putin, a member of the International Criminal Court, is set to travel to Mongolia despite an arrest warrant against him

Despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court,...

Japan Typhoon: Millions ordered to evacuate as one of strongest typhoons in decades hits Japan

What's the latest?Posted at 12:48 BST12:48 GMTImage source ReutersTyphoon...