On Sunday, the UN called for an “immediate” truce in Mariupol to allow the evacuation of civilians who are still trapped in this Ukrainian port city, almost entirely controlled by the Russian army, according to a statement from its coordinator in Ukraine.
“We need a pause in fighting right now to save lives. The longer we wait, the more lives will be threatened. They must be allowed to evacuate now, today. Tomorrow will be too late,” said Amin Awad.
The United Nations coordinator for the crisis in Ukraine made that request a day after an attempt to evacuate Mariupol failed, of which the Ukrainian government accused Russian forces.
The UN communiqué mentions that some 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the city, which has been almost completely destroyed after being under siege by Russian forces for weeks.
Awad said that Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated in both Russia and Ukraine, provided an opportunity to stop hostilities.
Resuming President Volodymir Zelensky's calls for a truce, presidential adviser Mikhailo Podoliak also called on Twitter for a “royal truce in Mariupol for (orthodox) Easter” and “a humanitarian corridor for civilians”.
Likewise, Pope Francis once again called for a truce in Ukraine.
“Far from stopping, the war has intensified. It is sad that in these days, which are the holiest and most solemn for all Christians, the deadly noise of weapons is heard more than the bells announcing the Resurrection. And it's sad that weapons are taking the place of the word,” he lamented. “I reiterate the call for an Easter truce, a minimal and tangible sign of a desire for peace,” he added.
Ukraine said early on Sunday that Russian forces continued to bomb the city on the Sea of Azov, including the Azovstal steel mill, the last stronghold of resistance of Ukrainian fighters.
“The Russian enemy continues to fire and block our units in Azovstal, even with air strikes,” the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement.
Keep reading:
Últimas Noticias
Debanhi Escobar: they secured the motel where she was found lifeless in a cistern
Members of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in Nuevo León secured the Nueva Castilla Motel as part of the investigations into the case
The oldest person in the world died at the age of 119
Kane Tanaka lived in Japan. She was born six months earlier than George Orwell, the same year that the Wright brothers first flew, and Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize
Macabre find in CDMX: they left a body bagged and tied in a taxi
The body was left in the back seats of the car. It was covered with black bags and tied with industrial tape
The eagles of America will face Manchester City in a duel of legends. Here are the details
The top Mexican football champion will play a match with Pep Guardiola's squad in the Lone Star Cup
Why is it good to bring dogs out to know the world when they are puppies
A so-called protection against the spread of diseases threatens the integral development of dogs
