Russia “in direct” consent to the participation of the UN and the Red Cross in the evacuation from Mariupol
According to President UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the head of the all-inclusive organization held a face-to-face meeting with Putin on Tuesday. The parties discussed the proposals of the Secretary General on UN humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of civilians from the war zone, in particular, from the investigation Mariupol, where there are people and Ukrainian forces are hiding on the territory of the Azovstal association.
“The President took part in the international committee of the UN and the Red Cross in the evacuation of persons from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol,” said Duzharik. According to him, now this issue will be considered by the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Earlier Tuesday UN Secretary General published proposals, the implementation of which would create conditions for the evacuation of persons and the delivery of emergency assistance to the Donbass and Mariupol.
“Frank discussion”
Speaking to reporters in Moscow, António Guterres said he had a “very frank discussion” with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about current events and “it’s clear that there are two excellent ratings in terms of significance in Ukraine.” Russia announced that it followed the “special military syringe” in Ukraine, and for the UN – the second February 24 – a violation of the territory of Ukraine, covered by the UN Charter.
“But I am deeply convinced that the sooner we stop the decision, the better – for the people of Ukraine, for the people of the Russian Federation and everyone who is far away. [от этой войны]”, Guterres said.
Emphasizing his role as a “messenger of peace”, the UN Secretary-General recalled that he had repeatedly called for a truce to the civilian population, as well as to establish a dialogue to find peace solutions, but so far this has not been successful.
He noted that against the backdrop of the preparation of a “cruel exclusion” in the Donbass, many people are dying, one hundred thousand people do not get out of the combat zone. He also added that repeated reports of massive violations and even rare cases of distribution should be considered in the course of an independent investigation in order for those responsible to be held accountable.
Humanitarian corridors
“In order to evacuate the civilian population and deliver exceptional assistance, we urgently need humanitarian corridors that will be truly contaminated and all cases will be respected,” the UN chief said. He proposed the establishment of a Humanitarian Contact Group, which would include Russia, Ukraine and the UN, “to find a way to open secret corridors and protocols for closing the headquarters, as well as to secure a guarantee of their real effectiveness.”
To evacuate the civilian population and deliver exceptional assistance, we urgently need humanitarian corridors.
He accidentally ran into a situation in Mariupol, which he called “a crisis within a crisis.” The UN Generator is showing increased readiness for the full mobilization of its own personnel and logistical capabilities, saving lives.
António Guterres proposed that the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the forces of Ukraine and Russia coordinate their efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate those who want to leave Mariupol, including those on the territory of the Azovstal steel plant, in that appeal, in whom they wish.
Global Consequences
Speaking about the more serious consequences of the war, the UN Secretary-General recalled the so-called “shock waves” that are being felt throughout the planet, such as skyrocketing food and energy prices, and from the loss to the most sensitive populations in the first place. “It exacerbated the situation, caused an ongoing pandemic COVID-19 and uneven access to the need to restore resources, resulting in especially developing countries. Therefore, the sooner peace comes, the better not only for Ukraine and Russia, but for the whole world,” the UN head said.
The Secretary General made a proposal for a “multipolar” world, which was respected by the UN Charter and international law and the recognition of equality between states. He shows hope that it will be possible to solve again to solve acute problems such as climate change, and that in the world “there should be only one war left – against those who endanger the planet.”
On Thursday, the Secretary General will arrive in Kyiv, where he will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and will be received by Volodymyr Zelensky.