KIEV, March 4. /TASS/. Russia’s stance in the negotiations is tough, as is Ukraine’s, so the talks will be difficult, but they will be continued, Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office Mikhail Podolyak said on Friday.

"The stance of the Russian Federation is tough <...>. But the position of the Ukrainian Commander-In-Chief and Ukraine as a whole is also tough. So, the negotiations will go hard, but they will continue," Podolyak said at a briefing. According to him, the Ukrainian side clearly understands Russia’s position, so it is comfortable to work. However, Podolyak noted that Zelensky would not make concessions that "diminish Ukraine’s battle for territorial integrity." He added that at the talks, Kiev’s position is strengthened by the support of Western partners.

Another member of the Ukrainian delegation and head of the Servant of the People ruling party’s parliamentary faction David Arakhamia said at a briefing that Kiev and Moscow had agreed to negotiate behind closed doors in order to "somehow come to an agreement."