France, Turkey, Greece preparing humanitarian mission to evacuate civilians from Mariupol

This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference after the European summit in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We are going to start a humanitarian operation together with Turkey and Greece to evacuate all those who are willing to leave Mariupol," Macron said.

According to the French leader, such a mission should be deployed "in the coming days": "The sooner the better."

Macron also said that detailed talks were held with the mayor of Mariupol today. According to the French president, everything is developing transparently and in contact with President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian authorities.

The French president added that "from 48 to 72 hours max" this issue will be discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree on details and security issues.

As reported, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk said that on March 25, a total of 2,800 civilians from Mariupol arrived in Zaporizhia in their own vehicles, while another 4,000 Mariupol residents were evacuated by bus from Berdiansk.

Photo: Stringer, Anadolu Agency