President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the possible destruction of the Ukrainian military and civilians who remain on the territory of the “Azovstal” plant in Mariupol by the russian occupiers, could put an end to any diplomatic negotiations with russia.
This was reported by the Presidential Press Service.
"If they kill people who can now be exchanged if they are military, or released if they are civilians, or helped if they are wounded military or civilians, there will be nothing to talk about with them at the diplomatic level," - said Zelenskyy on a video meeting at the Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House (UK).
According to him, today, thanks to the efforts of Ukraine, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, it was finally possible to find a format for the evacuation of civilians from the blocked “Azovstal” plant.
The President also stated that Mariupol was completely destroyed.
According to him, the blockade of the city by the russian occupiers is a deliberate step, a manifestation of hatred and terrorism.
"The russian information and propaganda machine is primarily responsible for such atrocities, and this problem still needs to be addressed. They nurtured such hatred even before the beginning of a full-scale war. They have been doing this for many years, and now it all results in such torture,” Zelenskyy noted.
Today, 50 people have been rescued from "Azovstal", tomorrow evacuation operation will proceed.
On May 4, 344 people were evacuated from Mariupol through a humanitarian corridor. These are women, children and the elderly from Mariupol, Manhush, Berdyansk, Tokmak and Vasylivka. They all arrived in Zaporizhzhia.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General and asked him to facilitate the evacuation of the wounded from “Azovstal”.
He also stressed that in order to save people, it is necessary to continue the regime of silence.