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Ukraine talks canceled in Minsk, Belarus

No reason was provided.

By Ed Adamczyk
People rally on Independence Square in Kiev November 21, 2014 to mark the anniversary of the removal of the pro-Russian government. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko
People rally on Independence Square in Kiev November 21, 2014 to mark the anniversary of the removal of the pro-Russian government. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko | License Photo

MINSK, Belarus, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A crucial round of negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict was scrapped Friday, with some negotiators returning home from Minsk, Belarus, site of the talks.

Dmitry Mironchik, Belarusian Foreign Ministry press secretary, said Friday's meeting was canceled, the Interfax-Ukraine press agency reported. Resumption of the talks was not mentioned.

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The talks, between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russian separatists from eastern Ukraine and monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, began Wednesday. An agreement on an exchange of prisoners, 225 separatists and 150 Ukrainian troops, the least antagonistic of the issues, was agreed upon quickly. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry gave no reason for Friday's cancellation, but the most contentious issue is arrangement for a 30-kilometer buffer zone between the combatants.

The rebels are also eager to see the resumption of social welfare payments in eastern Ukraine, which the Kiev government believes is being used to finance the separatist movement.

An aide to the separatist side said he was returning to Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, adding there was no point in remaining in Minsk.

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The talks were meant to reinforce a peace agreement signed in September which has had little effect on the fighting. Thus far 4,707 have been killed, with 542,080 displaced within Ukraine and 597,956 seeking asylum outside the country, the United Nations said on Dec. 16.

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