The siege of Mariupol by russia has made the negotiation process on the war in Ukraine more complicated, and it is hard to tell when the direct negotiations can resume.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the Advisor to the Head of the President’s Office, member of the Ukrainian negotiating team, said to the Reuters agency.
In his written replies to questions of the agency, Podolyak said that, in his opinion, russia counts on strengthening their positions as a result of the new offensive it started in the eastern Ukraine.
“It is evident that with Mariupol’s tragedy as the background, the negotiation process has become more complicated,” he said.
According to the police, hundreds of civilians, including women and children, have found shelter on the territory of Azovstal plant in Mariupol. The commander of the Azov regiment lieutenant colonel Denys Prokopenko appealed to world leaders requesting to arrange the evacuation from the city for civilians, wondered persons, and fallen soldiers.
The Security Service of Ukraine states that regardless of the fact that russia outnumbers in troops, it cannot capture Mariupol. Therefore, it wants to raze the Azovstal plant to the ground since Ukrainian fighters hold defense there. The occupants plan to throw three-ton air bombs.