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It’s just past 7 p.m. in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know.
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, mentioned he “strongly urged” for instant humanitarian entry and protected passage from Mariupol and different besieged cities in a name with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Michel “firmly reiterated the EU’s place: assist for Ukraine and her sovereignty, condemnation and sanctions for Russia’s aggression,” he mentioned Friday in a tweet on his verified account.
In the meantime, the Kremlin mentioned that Putin had “a prolonged phone dialog” with Michel.
“The event of the state of affairs in Ukraine was mentioned intimately. Charles Michel briefed Vladmir Putin on his contact with the Ukrainian management throughout his latest journey to Kyiv,” based on a press release from the Kremlin.
Putin “outlined his principled assessments in reference to a particular army operation to guard the republics of Donbass” and spoke about “measures taken on an ongoing foundation to guard civilian inhabitants, the every day opening of humanitarian corridors and ceasefire declaration for the protected evacuation of civilians from the fight zone,” the Kremlin mentioned.
“It was famous that after the liberation of Mariupol, for humanitarian causes, an order was given to cancel the storming of the economic zone of the Azovstal plant. On the identical time, all servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, militants of the nationalist battalions and international mercenaries who lay down their arms are assured life, dignified remedy in accordance with worldwide regulation and the supply of certified medical care. However the Kyiv regime doesn’t enable them this chance,” the Kremlin mentioned.
“Consideration was drawn to the irresponsible statements of EU representatives about the necessity to resolve the state of affairs in Ukraine by army means, in addition to ignoring the quite a few warfare crimes dedicated by the Ukrainian safety forces,” the Kremlin mentioned. “It was famous that Brussels might affect the Kiev authorities to be able to power them to cease the huge shelling of Donbas settlements and different gross violations of worldwide humanitarian regulation.”
Some context: World leaders have accused Russia of finishing up warfare crimes for weeks. There have been mass graves and murdered civilians present in Bucha and outdoors of Mariupol. The Worldwide Prison Courtroom’s chief prosecutor known as Ukraine a “crime scene,” following the ICC formally opening an investigation into the state of affairs in Ukraine on March 2. And simply at present, London’s Metropolitan Police mentioned it has acquired round 50 referrals of alleged warfare crimes in Ukraine, because it collates proof to help the ICC with its ongoing investigation.
Responding to a name by Michel for direct contact between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin “reaffirmed the well-known place on this matter, noting that such a risk relies upon, specifically, on concrete leads to the continued negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, throughout which the Ukrainian aspect is exhibiting inconsistency and isn’t prepared to hunt mutually acceptable options.”
The Kremlin additionally reiterated unfounded claims that the management of “most” EU nations “indulge” in Russophobia, “which manifests itself, for instance, within the cultural, humanitarian and sports activities fields.”