NATO could be involved in evacuation of civilians from Mariupol - Nuland

20.04.2022 20:20

Ukrinform

NATO allies could be involved in the safe passage of civilians and the wounded from the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

That's according to US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, Ukrinform reports, citing CNN.

There "was some hope that the Russians might allow" safe passage for civilians and wounded soldiers from Mariupol, she said, adding that her understanding is "there will be NATO allies involved in that if it happens."

Nuland did not specify how the military alliance could be involved in the evacuation of civilians.

However, such an arrangement "has fallen apart a number of times before," and ultimately, it is up to the Russians to allow safe passage, Nuland said.

The siege of Mariupol speaks "to the brutality of this war" and the war crimes Vladimir Putin is committing, she added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a joint briefing with European Council President Charles Michel in Kyiv on Wednesday that Russian troops were holding about 120,000 people under siege in Mariupol.