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Ukraine peace talks are set to start in the capital of Belarus

Associated Press
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From left: Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov and former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma seen through a window in Minsk, Belarus, on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The much-anticipated talks on a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis began in the capital of Belarus on Wednesday. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe arrived at the venue in the early evening on Wednesday. They would not talk to the media. (AP Photo/ Sergei Grits) (The Associated Press)

From left: Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and unidentified official seen through a window in Minsk, Belarus, on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The much-anticipated talks on a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis began in the capital of Belarus on Wednesday. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe arrived at the venue in the early evening on Wednesday. They would not talk to the media. (AP Photo/ Sergei Grits) (The Associated Press)

Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, leaves a car to take part in talks in Minsk, Belarus, on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The much-anticipated talks on a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis began in the capital of Belarus on Wednesday. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe arrived at the venue in the early evening on Wednesday. They would not talk to the media. (AP Photo/ Sergei Grits) (The Associated Press)

Negotiators are heading to the capital of Belarus for another round of talks about a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are to hold the talks in Minsk on Wednesday and on Friday.

The negotiations are focusing on measures intended to ensure a stable cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, where the fighting between pro-Russia separatists and the Ukrainian government forces has claimed more than 4,700 lives.

The previous rounds of talks in September produced a cease-fire, which has often been violated.

Heidi Tagliavini, the OSCE's lead figure since the talks began, has said the participants will discuss the pullback of heavy weaponry, a complete exchange of war prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid.