(Kyiv) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday that the “elimination” of the last Ukrainian soldiers present in the port city of Mariupol besieged by Russian forces “would put an end to all peace negotiations” with Moscow.
Posted at 11:55 a.m.
Updated at 12:50 p.m.
“The elimination of our soldiers, of our men (in Mariupol) will put an end to any negotiation” of peace between Russia and Ukraine, declared Mr. Zelensky during an interview with several Ukrainian media, warning that the two parties would then find themselves in “an impasse”.
In terms of the human toll, “Mariupol, that may be ten times Borodyanka”, a small Ukrainian town near Kyiv destroyed after being shelled and the scene of alleged abuses during its occupation by Russian soldiers, accused Mr. Zelensky.
PHOTO ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO, REUTERS
A resident of Mariupol walks on a street where the bodies of civilians killed during clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces lie.
“And the more Borodyanka there are, the more difficult it will be” to negotiate, he stressed. “To be honest, we have no confidence in the negotiations regarding Mariupol. »
After the Ukrainian army announced on April 11 that it was preparing for “a final battle” in this southeastern city, Mr. Zelensky admitted a “very difficult situation”.
“Our soldiers are surrounded,” he said. “Despite everything, the guys continue to defend themselves. »
Forty days after it began, the fighting is now concentrated in the vast industrial zone of Mariupol, near the Sea of Azov. “Contact” is maintained with the Ukrainian forces on the spot, said Mr. Zelensky.
“It’s a humanitarian crisis, there is no food, water or medicine,” he added, accusing Russia of “refusing” the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian authorities predicted a death toll of 20,000 to 22,000 in Mariupol, a strategic city with a peacetime population of 441,000.
Talks between the belligerents have been stalled for several days. They are “extremely difficult” according to the words of an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Mykhaïlo Podoliak, on Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Ukrainian negotiators of “lack of consistency”.
On Saturday, Mr. Zelensky said he wanted a peace treaty with Moscow consisting of “two separate documents”. “One of the two will concern security guarantees for Ukraine, the other (will concern) its relations with Russia directly. »
In this first document, Ukraine’s security would be guaranteed by certain countries “having shown” their interest, such as “the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Turkey”, he said in this same interview with the Ukrainian media.
“Moscow would like to have a single treaty […] but not all of them really see themselves talking to Russia,” added the Ukrainian president.