Russia Returns 909 Dead Ukrainian Troops, Begins Historic Talks To End War
By Yadnom Awu/ Asaba
Russia today returned the bodies of 909 fallen troops to Ukraine as officials of both countries began talks on ending their three- year old war.
The bodies were handed over at a secret location in Russia as officials of the countries began low- level exploratory talks aimed at funding common ground to end the war that has led to the death of hundreds of troops on both sides.
The talks are holding in Instanbul( formerly Constantinople) in Turkiye( Turkey), with observers from America and the host nation, Turkiye, expected to join later.
Opening the talks earlier today, Turkiye ‘s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, said the meeting , the first between officials of both nations since three years, was historic.
He described the talks as the foundation for a way to either peace or destruction.
He urged both parties to exercise restraint and consider the long- term negative effects of the military action on the citizens of their respective countries.
According to Fidan, progress at the talks would eventually lead to a meeting of the leaders of both countries.
Both President Vladimir Viktor Putin of Russia and Wladimyr Zelensky of Ukraine had consistently indicated interest in peace talks but laid stiff precedent conditions.
While Putin has insisted on addressing Russian concerns that led to its 2022 invasion of its neighbour, Zelensky is angling the other way, saying there must be no preconditions for the talks to begin.
