Al-Jazeera says that Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has told the Reuters news agency that talks between Ukraine and Russia have started at the Belarussian border,.

The Ukrainian delegation members reportedly include Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak among others.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says the Russian delegation members include officials from the foreign and defense ministries as well as president’s office. 

Earlier the Ukrainian president’s office said Kiev’s goal for the discussions was an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the European Union to immediately admit Ukraine as a member state via a special procedure.

“Our goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal. I’m sure that’s fair. I am sure we deserve it,” he said in a video speech shared on social media.