Faced with the catastrophic situation in Mariupol, which has been contested for weeks, Ukraine has proposed a “special round of negotiations” with Russian representatives in the strategically important port city in the south of the country. Negotiations can take place “without preconditions,” Ukraine’s top negotiator and presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podoliak, wrote on Twitter yesterday.
The objective is to save Ukrainian fighters, soldiers and civilians. “Because they belong to us. Because they’re in my heart. Forever,” says Podoljak.
Dramatic appeal for help
The Ukrainian armed forces in Mariupol issued a dramatic appeal for help after nearly two months of intense fighting. His troops are “perhaps” facing their “last days, if not hours,” Ukrainian commander Serhiy Volyna said. Moscow issued a new ultimatum to Ukrainian soldiers, which expired yesterday.
In Mariupol, Ukrainian soldiers who are still resisting have barricaded themselves in a steel mill and from there are fiercely resisting Russian attackers. According to city officials, at least 1,000 civilians are also in the underground facilities of the steel mills.
Kadyrov wants to see Mariupol taken
The ruler of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, predicted the complete capture of Mariupol for Thursday.
“Even before or after lunch, Azovstal will be under the full control of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” he said in an audio message, overlooking the Azovstal Power Plant, the last bastion of Ukrainian forces in the largely conquered city.