Ukraine rejected Russia’s ultimatum, President Zelensky signaled about “red lines”

Mariupol is currently one of the main battlefields in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. (Source: Twitter)

Mr. Vereshchuk said: “There can be no laying down of arms. We have informed the Russian side about this. It is a deliberate manipulation.”

On the evening of March 20, Russia issued an ultimatum to the city of Mariupol, calling on the city’s defense forces to surrender before 5:00 a.m. (10 a.m. Vietnamese time) on March 21.

“We call on units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, territorial defense battalions, and foreign mercenaries to stop hostile actions,” said Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defense Control Center. enemy, lay down their arms and, along the humanitarian corridors agreed with the Ukrainian side, enter the territories controlled by Kiev”.

Mariupol – a strategic port in southeastern Ukraine, whose people speak mainly Russian – is one of the main targets of the special military operation that Moscow launched on February 24 in Ukraine.

This city has been affected by shelling during the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces for several days, all communications are cut off.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that it will open humanitarian corridors to allow people to leave before 10 am on March 21 local time (15:00 pm Vietnam time) if the Ukrainian side agrees to surrender.

On the same day, speaking on TV channel CNNUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that he is ready to negotiate with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, stressing that dialogue is the only way to end the war.

According to Mr. Zelensky, the two leaders, who play an important role in reaching an agreement to end the war, have entered their fourth week, and signaled that they will issue “red lines” on the issue. territorial integrity, including 2 regions claiming independence in the East.