An important step in the ongoing peace talks between Ukraine's government and eastern Ukrainian rebels, due to take place in Minsk on Friday, has been canceled, Belarusian officials say. No official reason was provided by the Belarusian foreign ministry. "There will be no contact group meeting today," Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman Dmitry Mironchik told Agence France-Presse. He added that "Belarus is always ready to offer [Minsk] as a negotiations venue." The latest talks also included Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The talks began on Wednesday, however failed to make significant progress, although both sides confirmed that after hours of negotiations they did agree to exchange prisoners, involving at least 375 prisoners from both sides. The primary goals of the high-level negotiations have been to solidify a lasting cease-fire by agreeing on a withdrawal of heavy weapons from the areas of combat and a demarcation line between rebels and government troops. Ceasefire and framework peace deals were announced in Minsk in September, but neither has been properly observed. Since the conflict began in eastern Ukraine in April, 4,707 people have lost their lives, according to the UN. Source URL |
