Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine’s Mariupol amid fresh EU sanctions on Russia
ERBIL, KRG, Iraq (North Press) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called yesterday the situation in the port city of Mariupol “inhuman” asking the western countries to “immediately” give Ukraine heavy weaponry it has demanded for weeks.
Zelensky’s statement came amid Russia’s announcement it had almost completely controlled Mariupol under calls for the Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms.
During a virtual address, Zelensky said “The situation in Mariupol remains as severe as possible…. This is what the Russian Federation did.”
Zelensky accused Russia it is deliberately destroying everyone who is there in Mariupol where 441,000 people used to live prior to the onset of the Russian military operation that started on February 24.
Zelensky said the Western allies have two options: the first is that they “immediately” give Ukraine heavy weaponry and planes to mitigate pressure on Mariupol and lift the siege on it. Secondly, “Western allies could also assist Ukraine by participating in a negotiating path.”
“There has not been a single day since the blockade of Mariupol that we have not sought a solution. Military or diplomatic – anything to save people. But finding this solution is extremely difficult,” Zelensky stressed.
The Russian Defense Ministry called on the Ukrainian fighters positioned in the Metallurgical Combine Azovstal to stop fighting and clear the building.
“The only chance to save their lives is to voluntarily lay down their arms and surrender,” The Russian Defense Ministry said via Telegram.
“The entire city territory of Mariupol has been fully mopped up of the militants of the Azov Nazi formation, foreign mercenaries and Ukrainian troops,” the ministry added.
Russia’s control over Mariupol would be considered a triumph for Moscow because it will secure a land corridor between the Russian-annexed Crimea and Donbas region which is held by Russian supporters.
Meanwhile, the European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is considering measures against the energy sectors and banking sectors in Russia.
“We are looking further at the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which accounts for 37% of the Russian banking sector. And, of course, there are energy issues,” von der Leyen said in an interview with the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper.
Some Western countries started to impose new sanctions against Russia in response to the Russian military action against Ukraine. The financial sector and technology industry import were mostly targeted. Some states announced its intention to abandon Russian energy imports.