Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Monday, demanded an “immediate ceasefire” and withdrawal of Russian troops as a Kyiv delegation arrived for talks with Russian negotiators.

President Zelenskyy also demanded an “immediate” European Union membership for Ukraine as the Russian invasion entered a fifth day.

The Ukrainian presidency made this known in a statement ahead of the peace talk with Russian negotiators on Monday.

The presidency said: “The Ukrainian delegation arrived at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to take part in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation.

“The key issue of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.

“Abandon your equipment. Get out of here. Don’t believe your commanders. Don’t believe your propagandists. Just save your lives.

“We appeal to the European Union for the immediate accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure,” the 44-year-old leader said in a new video address.

“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.”

Zelensky, in a new address to Russia’s forces, claimed that more than 4,500 Russian soldiers had already lost their lives during the Kremlin’s assault.

Holding strong against the Russian invasion and retaining control over its major cities, Ukraine has started speaking to Russia on finding a way forward. The move comes as protests against Russia grow, both within its borders and beyond them.

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Russia has said it wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine, a negotiator said today ahead of a talks between the two sides in Belarus.

Ukraine agreed to hold talks with Russia at its border with Belarus, near the Chernobyl exclusion zone, after a call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Ukraine had earlier refused to talk in Belarus, where Russian troops were stationed before the invasion.

Acording to AFP, President Zelensky said he was sceptical about the outcome of the talks but said they were worth a “try”.

The United Nations Security Council will also hold a rare emergency special session of the General Assembly on Monday to discuss Russia’s attack on Ukraine. India abstained from the procedural vote, but welcomed the talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

The UN has said 102 civilians, including seven children, have been killed in Ukraine.

The UN refugee agency has said tens of thousands are fleeing the fighting, with most crossing into Poland as the total count reaches 400,000, while others are seeking shelter in Hungary, Romania, Moldova and Slovakia.

The Star