The leaders from Ukraine and Russia are slated to hold a meeting, on Thursday, in Belarus in order to initiate talks as the Russian full-scale invasion of the former Soviet republic enters its seventh consecutive day.
“As far as I know, the Ukrainian delegation has already departed from Kyiv, is en route … We’re expecting them tomorrow,” stated the leader of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, to members of the media in a conversation on Wednesday, as reported by the Associated Press.
“According to Medinsky, the two sides agreed on the Brest region of Belarus, which borders Poland, as the site of the talks,” continued the report.
The meeting is the second time that the leaders from the opposing sides have spoken in the wake of the sudden conflict that has ended up causing a reported 2,000 Ukrainian casualties and sparked an exodus of well over 800,000 civilians fleeing the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initially kicked off the military incursion in the wake of months of building up troops along the border, collecting well over 100,000 soldiers along its border with Ukraine. regardless of this seemingly massive advantage, Russia’s military has run headfirst into massive resistance from both the military and citizens of Ukraine, along with many nations across the globe also coming to the support of Ukraine.
“The spokesman of the Russian Defense Ministry says 498 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine and 1,597 more sustained wounds,” read the report from the AP.
Various sources from within Ukraine have highlighted higher numbers, some noting well over 5,000 Russian casualties.
"Practically 6,000 Russians Killed," Says Ukraine President: 5 Newest Details https://t.co/7OoNyhEPvt
— Vinay TS CRO Working President (@Vinay42890339) March 2, 2022
Additionally, many video clips highlighting Russian military members being captured by Ukrainian fighters have cropped up online, including a selection of soldiers who have given up without a fight, read some reports.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has been a spotlighted leading hero in the nation’s struggles to throw back the Russian military incursion. Rather than escaping the country when the option arose, the president took up arms and joined the efforts of the Ukrainian people in the popular uprising.
“During this time, we have truly become one. We forgave each other. We started loving each other. We help each other. We are worried for each other,” Zelensky stated in comments given on Wednesday.
In new address, Zelensky underscores that Russia’s war has brought Ukrainians together. “During this time, we have truly become one. We forgave each other. We started loving each other. We help each other. We are worried for each other.” pic.twitter.com/4gQXFxFODV
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 2, 2022
Previously, the leaders from both sides met in Belarus once already on Monday for roughly five hours. As of writing, no decisions have been announced, and Putin has continued his campaign of airstrikes all throughout the meetings.