Political scientist Tsyplyaev: Negotiations are more important for us than their venue

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should take place, because no other positive outcomes are visible, and all other options are very unprofitable and difficult for both sides. This was stated in a conversation with a Rosbalt correspondent by a political scientist, president of the Respublika Foundation for the Development of Republican Traditions and Institutions, Sergei Tsyplyaev.

“The fact that now they cannot agree on a place, we need to return to this issue again and come to an agreement. The option of a neutral country does indeed seem preferable. And here, I think, it is not in our interests to balk. If the Ukrainian authorities do not want to speak in Minsk, let’s speak in Turkey, Azerbaijan and any other countries that were not involved in the events,” he said.

The expert added that Minsk has slightly spoiled its reputation as an “honest and neutral broker”, and the Ukrainian side will not agree to any Belarusian city now, just as we will not agree to a Ukrainian one.

“But this is not a matter of principle for us. I think the negotiations themselves are more important for us than the venue. There is no need to build illusions that there is some kind of quick military solution. Judging by the development of events, the campaign threatens to be long, difficult and with an incomprehensible outcome.

Recall that the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that he did not agree to negotiate with the Russian delegation in any of the cities of Belarus. Meanwhile, the Russian official delegation headed by Vladimir Medinsky arrived in Gomel to hold talks with the Ukrainian side, since, according to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, this city was chosen for the meeting by official Kiev.