Putin offers talks to Ukraine in Minsk in context of Zelensky statement about neutral status - Peskov

MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Moscow handed Ukraine its proposals in Minsk after Ukraine signaled readiness to discuss its neutral status, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

"You are aware that President Zelensky has today stated his readiness to discuss a neutral status for Ukraine. This was one of the very important conditions for Ukraine to resolve the crisis that President Putin was talking about," Peskov said, adding that that condition was key to the special operation.

"In the context of this proposal by Zelensky, President Putin proposed organizing such talks," Peskov said.

"We passed Ukrainians the proposal for such talks to be organized in Minsk," he said, noting that Ukrainians had been informed accordingly.

Right after that Putin phoned to Lukashenko and they agreed that Belarus and its president will do their best to host delegations and - crucially - ensure their safety, Peskov said.