Russian-Ukrainian talks in Belarus scheduled for afternoon

MOSCOW. March 7 (Interfax) - The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Belarus may start in the coming hours.

"The talks are scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Moscow time, but the time may change due to problems with the Ukrainian delegation's logistics," Belarusian political scientist Yury Voskresensky, who is close to the organizers of the meeting, told Interfax.

The Russian delegation has already left for Belarus, he said.

"The talks will take place in Belovezhskaya Pushcha in the Hunter's House, where the precious round was held," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the start of a "special military operation" in Ukraine" in the early hours of February 24. The Western countries retaliated by imposing massive sanctions against Russia.

Talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials began on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border on February 28. The second round of the talks took place on March 3.