The UN called on Sunday for a truceimmediatein Mariupol, to allow the evacuation of some 100,000 civilians still trapped in this Ukrainian port almost entirely controlled by the Russian army.
Read alsoUkraine: how the soldiers entrenched in the Mariupol Azovstal factory resist the Russians
“There needs to be a break in the fighting right now to save lives. The longer we wait, the more lives will be at risk. They must be allowed to evacuate now, today. Tomorrow will be too latesaid UN coordinator in Ukraine Amin Awad in a statement.
kyiv had indicated earlier Sunday that the Russian forces continued to bombard this city on the Sea of Azov, pounded and besieged since the beginning of March by the Russian army, and in particular the Azovstal steelworks, the last pocket of resistance of the Ukrainian fighters. “The Russian enemy continues to fire and block our units in Azovstal, including with airstrikes“Said the General Staff (EM) of Ukraine in a press release.
Relaying President Volodymyr Zelensky’s calls for a truce, presidential adviser Mikhaïlo Podoliak also called on Twitter to set up a “true truce in Mariupol for Passover (Orthodox)” and “a humanitarian corridor for civilians“. He also offered aspecial session of negotiations to take or exchange (their) soldiers“. A proposal ignored by Moscow.
The new UN appeal comes after an evacuation attempt failed on Saturday, with the Ukrainians holding the Russians responsible for the failure.
SEE ALSO – Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky denounces the “illogical” decision of the UN chief to go to Moscow before Kyiv