While the world is willing to save Mariupol’s citizens from Russian bombardment, the Russian side rejects all such proposals.
Source: Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head the Office of President of Ukraine.
“The President and the Head of the President’s Office continue to appeal to world leaders to help us convince the Russian side that a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol is vital.
Certain political leaders are appealing to Putin via their own private channels of communication. They are trying to convince him that this has to be done for humanitarian reasons. But unfortunately, there is no response from the Russian side.” – Podoliak stated
Details: Podoliak stated that Russia is refusing to negotiate or make concessions on humanitarian issues. Podoliak believes that destroying Mariupol’s Azov Regiment and Mariupol would be a symbolic victory for Russia.
“Russia deploys the most heavy artillery and aircraft to destroy Azovstall every day. Russians don’t pay attention that children and civilians are there. “They keep bombarding [the steelworks],” Podoloiak stated.
Despite Russia’s inability to cooperate, the government and leaders of the world continue to attempt to organize the evacuation of Mariupol residents.
“There are many brave people around the world who are ready to assist in the evacuation of Mariupol, even political leaders. We will be there and many world leaders will stand by us as we evacuate the population. The world is eager to solve this humanitarian crisis” – Podoliak insisted.
UaPosition memo:
- Mariupol is under siege from 1 March. The Azovstal steelworks is home to the Azov Regiment and some of the Marines as well as Border Guards, Border Guards, and National Guards. Mariupol Civilians are also hiding in the bunkers of the Azovstal steelworks, as they are protected from Russian bombings and shelling.
- Mariupol’s defenders are at a crossroads and have asked the world for an agreement on the “extraction procedure” used in Dunkirk during World War II. The Marines asked Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdan to perform their “extraction” to Turkey.
- Ukrainian authorities wanted to evacuate civilians and wounded soldiers from Azovstal on Friday, 29th April.
- Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, suggested that the UN coordinate Mariupol’s evacuation efforts during his visits to Moscow and Kyiv. Osnat Lubrani (UN Resident Coordinator for Ukraine), arrived in Zaporizhzhia 28 April to help prepare for the evacuation of Mariupol.
See also: Mariupol – is European Aleppo, the city destroyed to the ground, – EU High Representative
