The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has urged France on Friday, April 1, to continue diplomatic efforts with Russia to execute its planned humanitarian corridors following Russia’s evacuation plan failure to let people out of the besieged city of Mariupol.
In a recent phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy urged Macron that the initiative of France on humanitarian corridors from Mariupol must be executed.”
He also spoke on the ongoing negotiations with Russia, as well as “the course and prospects of the importance of security guarantees.”
According to officials from the French Presidency, Zelenskyy also urged Macron to engage with Moscow to extend the humanitarian cease-fire. The report also states that Macron underlined French efforts for a cease-fire and the resettling of displaced residents within Ukraine.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin determined that the plan “at this time” could not be implemented, France called off a joined humanitarian operation with Turkey, Greece, and international organizations to evacuate residents in the southern city of Mariupol.
Moreover, France called off the joint humanitarian operation with Turkey, Greece, and international organizations to evacuate the Ukrainians in the southeastern city of Mariupol this week after Russian President Vladimir Putin considered that it was not possible “at this stage” to execute the plan.
Furthermore, Moscow also declared a local cease-fire from Thursday and a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhya through the Russian-controlled port of Berdyansk from Friday at 10 a.m.
The Red Cross announced late Friday evening that it was “impossible” to evacuate Mariupol.
In an interview with a news channel, Sergei Orlov, deputy mayor of Mariupol, also lamented the inadequacy of the evacuation process. He accused Russia of obstructing humanitarian convoys, stopping Ukrainians from entering the city, and preventing trapped residents from fleeing.
Orlov described the dire plight of the residents, who were starving due to a lack of food, water, and medication, while Russian soldiers shelled the city, leaving it in ruins. According to him, some individuals were compelled to eat their pets in order to survive.
