Russia said Monday, March 13, in favor of renewing the agreement on Ukrainian grain exports, which expires on March 18, for 60 days, and not 120 as has been the case so far. The announcement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Verchinin following talks he held in Geneva, Switzerland, with UN Humanitarian Affairs Officer Martin Griffiths and Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), Rebeca Grynspan. Ukraine’s infrastructure minister said the Russian proposal contradicted the initial deal, signed in July. Follow our live.
Ukrainian forces speak of “violent fighting” for the center of Bakhmout. Of “fierce fighting” with Russian forces are underway for central Bakhmout in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian ground troop commander Oleksandr Syrsky. “Assault Detachments [du groupe paramilitaire russe] Wagner attack from several directions trying to break through the defense of our troops and advance towards the central quarters”he said on Monday, quoted by the army press center. “The closer we are to the city center, the harder the fighting”launched for his part Evgueni Prigojine, boss of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.
The NGO Human Rights Watch denounces the “devastating” consequences of the war on orphans. According to her, “thousands” have been “forcibly transferred” to Russia or territories under Russian occupation. “Russia must put an end to [ces] deportations”, the NGO said in a statement. And to add: “The return of children who have been illegally captured by Russian forces should be an international priority.”
The Ukrainian army promises a counter-offensive. “You have to save time” continuing to defend Bakhmout “to accumulate reserves and launch a counter-offensive, which is not far off”the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, said on Sunday.