Residents question Ukraine's absence from talks about its future

Local resident Serhiy smokes near his house in the village of Katerynivka, located near the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels, in Luhansk Region, Ukraine January 7, 2022. REUTERS/Maksim Levin

KYIV (Reuters) - As officials from the United States and Russia began talks https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/prospects-dim-us-russia-start-tense-talks-over-ukraine-crisis-2022-01-10 on Monday over Ukraine's security, Kyiv resident Oleh was among those who questioned why the country at the centre of the crisis was not at the negotiating table.

"I think it should not be this way," the 59-year-old said.