Fourth round of talks between Russia and Ukraine is suspended and will resume on Tuesday

Russia and Ukraine met this Monday, 14, for the fourth round of negotiations on a possible ceasefire. After three hours of meeting, through a post on twitter, the Ukrainian negotiator, Mikhailo Podoliak, informed that the meeting will continue on Tuesday, 15. “A technical pause was made in the negotiations until tomorrow. For further work in the sub-working groups and clarification of individual definitions. Negotiations continue…” Podoliak posted. Unlike the first three that had been in person, today’s meeting was virtual. The Russians want Ukraine to pledge neutrality, recognize the independence of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and give up Crimea. The Ukrainians, meanwhile, want an immediate truce and the withdrawal of enemy troops.

A technical pause has been taken in the negotiations until tomorrow. For additional work in the working subgroups and clarification of individual definitions. Negotiations continue…

— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 14, 2022

Before the meeting started, Podoliak had informed through a tweet that in today’s meeting “the parties are actively expressing their specified positions” and added that the communication was being carried out. However, he signaled the difficulty in reaching an agreement as “the reason for the discord is the very different political system. It is a free dialogue within society and an obligatory consensus. It is an ultimatum to suppress your own society.” Three meetings had already been held previously, and in the second and third stages it was agreed to create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians.