Putin agrees “in principle” to UN, Red Cross involvement in evacuations from Mariupol – UN chief’s spox
That’s according to UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
During his “tête-a-tête meeting” with President Putin, Guterres reiterated the UN’s position on Ukraine, according to a readout.
They also discussed proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones, namely in relation to the situation in the besieged port city of Mariupol, where thousands of civilians and Ukrainian troops remain holed up in the Azovstal steel mill.
“The President agreed, in principle, to the involvement of the United Nations and the International Committee for the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol”, said Mr. Dujarric.
He added that follow-on discussions will be held with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, and the Russian defense Ministry.
The Secretary-General has proposed establishment of a Humanitarian Contact Group - comprising Russia, Ukraine and the UN - “to look for opportunities for the opening of safe corridors, with local cessations of hostilities, and to guarantee that they are actually effective.”
Guterres has proposed that the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Ukrainian and Russian forces, coordinate work to both enable the safe evacuation of civilians who want to leave Mariupol – both inside the last redoubt of the Azovstal steel plant, and in the city itself, and in any direction they choose – and to deliver humanitarian aid.
As reported, on Thursday Guterres will visit Ukraine, where he will hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
According to UN General Assembly resolutions, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a gross violation of the UN Charter and international law. The documents call on Russia to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw troops from Ukraine.
Russian armed aggression has been going on in Ukraine since February 24. The enemy has been firing on and destroying infrastructure, residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages, killing the civilian population.
