A Tense Meeting in Minsk

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L) takes part in a traditional bread and salt ceremony upon his arrival at an airport outside Minsk August 26, 2014.



Russia and Ukraine said last Tuesday their presidents would meet together with top European Union officials in Belarus's capital of Minsk on August 26 to discuss their confrontation over Ukraine which has plunged relations to an all-time low.



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European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L front) listens to Belarussian Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchina (R front) upon her arrival at an airport outside Minsk.

Flags of the European Union (L-R), Ukraine and Russia fly during the arrivals of leaders and delegations at an airport outside Minsk.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko (R) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during their meeting in Minsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves as he gets into a car upon his arrival at an airport outside Minsk.

(L-R) Russia's President Vladimir Putin, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko and Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko walk together after a posing for a photo during their meeting in Minsk.

(L-R) Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko and Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko react while posing for a family photo during their meeting in Minsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko, as Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (C) stands nearby, in Minsk.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L), Russia's President Vladimir Putin (top center R) and Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko (3rd R from Putin) meet with high-ranking officials and presidents from Kazakhstan and the European Union in Minsk.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (C), European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger (L) and European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht attend a news conference in Minsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to speak to the media after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks to the media after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk.