Russia-Ukraine crisis: Fourth round of peace talks underway
What's the story
The fourth round of talks between Russia and Ukraine is underway, despite reciprocal allegations of bombardment and civilian casualties earlier in the day.
Mikhailo Podolyak, Kyiv's chief negotiator and Presidential assistant uploaded a photo of the video conference with Russian officials on Twitter, calling the talks "hard" and stating the two sides were expressing their "specific position."
Context
Why does this story matter?
Fresh talks have been initiated to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Recently, Russia has stepped up the assault on Ukraine, with heavy shelling reported in many cities.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky has reiterated his demand for NATO to impose a no-fly zone over the nation following an attack on a military facility that killed 35 people and injured over 130.
Twitter Post
Official shares image of talks on Twitter
Сторони активно висловлюють свої позиції, вже уточнені. Комунікація важко, але йде. Причина розбіжностей у тому, що ми маємо дуже різні політичні системи. Україна – це вільний діалог у суспільстві та обов'язковий консенсус. Росія – це ультимативне придушення власного суспільства. pic.twitter.com/Kow8UuT9Gv
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 14, 2022
Details
10 humanitarian routes agreed, none for Mariupol
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators agreed on ten additional safe transit routes for people in the Kyiv and Luhansk provinces, according to The Kyiv Independent.
However, no humanitarian corridors have been established for the beleaguered city of Mariupol, which is under Russian bombardment.
Ukrainian officials have reportedly attempted to deliver help to the city, including food, medication, and other vital supplies.
Quote
Ukraine lists key demands
"Peace, an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russians troops -- and only after this can we talk about regional relations and about political differences," Kyiv's lead negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak said in a video statement posted on Twitter.
US
China to face consequences if it helps Russia, says US
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser of the US, Jake Sullivan warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sweeping sanctions over the war in Ukraine, Reuters quoted him as saying.
Russia had reportedly sought both military equipment and support from China.
"There will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them," Sullivan said.
NATO
Conflict now at doorstep of NATO
At least 35 people were killed on Sunday after Russian missiles pounded a training base located just 25 kilometers from the Polish border.
The attack brought the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the doorstep of NATO.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for freezing the assets of the Russian state completely.
"Let them serve those innocent people who were attacked," Nexta quoted him as saying.