Ukrainian and Russian delegations adjourn for consultations, further meeting possible

The first round of talks between Ukraine and Russia adjourned on Monday without an agreement being reached, and with the members of both delegations having returned to their respective capitals for consultations with their governments.

One of Ukraine's negotiators, Mikhailo Podoliak, said that priorities had been agreed and there was now a series of matters requiring that decisions be taken.

According to Vladimir Mediski, assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, another meeting had been agreed and would take place on the border between Belarus and Poland.

A specific date for that second encounter had reportedly yet to be agreed although Medinski said that it would take place soon.

Earlier, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, had called for the immediate admission of his country to the European Union.

For his part, in a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, had requested that Crimea be recognised as Russian territory and the demilitarisation of Ukraine.