Leaders from Ukraine and Russia are planning to meet in Belarus on Thursday to hold talks as Russia’s invasion stretches on.

Context: The planned talks mark the second meeting between officials with the two countries since Russia’s invasion began. Leaders from both countries met on Monday but no decisions were announced.

For months leading up to the attack, Russia amassed more than 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s border.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has made it clear he wants to reform the Soviet Union and has fiercely pushed against Ukraine’s effort to join the EU and NATO.

Last week, Russia officially began its invasion but has reportedly been met with greater resistance than expected. While an estimated 800,000 people have evacuated Ukraine, many have taken up arms to fight against the Russian invasion.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also joined the efforts of Ukrainian armed forces rather than fleeing the country.

What Russia Says: “As far as I know, the Ukrainian delegation has already departed from Kyiv, is en route … We’re expecting them tomorrow,” Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, told reporters Wednesday evening, according to the Associated Press. (per The Daily Wire)

What Ukraine Says: On Wednesday, President Zelenskyy said that Russia’s war has only united Ukrainians.

“During this time, we have truly become one. We forgave each other. We started loving each other. We help each other. We are worried for each other,” Zelensky said during remarks on Wednesday.

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