Kyiv (Times Of Ocean)- The Ukrainian president says peace talks with Russia are difficult but progressing. “It is difficult, sometimes scandalous. But step by step, we are moving forward,” says Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the latest developments concerning the war, negotiations, and evacuations in a video address on his Telegram account.
“Ukrainian representatives are working on the negotiations, which continue virtually every day. It is difficult, sometimes scandalous. But step by step, we are moving forward,” Zelenskyy said.
The talks with Russia are ongoing at various levels to bring an end to the brutal war that has left thousands dead and millions homeless.
According to Zelenskyy, some 100,000 people are trapped in besieged Mariupol and forced to live under a complete blockade without access to food, water, and medicine, while 7,000 others have been evacuated but Russian forces have hindered the process.
“Our representatives are trying to agree on humanitarian corridors in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk regions,” he said, adding another evacuation would take place in Mariupol on Wednesday.
As a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, which began on Feb. 24, the EU, US, and UK, among others, have enacted tough sanctions against Moscow.
According to UN’s tally, 953 civilians have been killed and 1,557 injured during the war.
It warns, however, that the real toll is significantly higher.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 3.5 million people have fled the Ukraine amid the Russian attacks.