Russia proposes Ukraine disposes: Kyiv does not trust Moscow on ceasefire

The Ukrainian Armed Forces reported in a quick response to Russia’s new ceasefire announcement that “the Russian side announces a ‘silence regime’ for the opening of humanitarian corridors tomorrow, March 9, from 9:00 am in Kyiv.”

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According to a Telegram post by the Armed Forces, “Russia will request that Ukraine agree on the routes and opening hours of humanitarian corridors and notify representatives of foreign embassies, the UN, the OSCE, and the Red Cross by 02:00 in Kyiv on March 9.”

“It is difficult to trust the occupier,” the statement warned.

Russia declared a new ceasefire beginning at 10 am Moscow time (9 am Ukrainian/2 am ET) Wednesday, claiming it is prepared to provide evacuation corridors from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, as well as other places discussed with the Ukrainian side.

According to Russian media, the ceasefire parameters were announced by the Russian Coordination Headquarters for Humanitarian Response in Ukraine.

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Russia insists on maintaining a constant communication channel with Ukraine in order to exchange information about the evacuation of civilians and foreigners.

The Russian side suggests that Kyiv notify representatives of foreign embassies and international organisations located on Ukrainian territory of the ceasefire and the availability of humanitarian corridors by 3 am Moscow time on Wednesday (7 pm ET Tuesday).

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According to the Russian Coordination Headquarters for Humanitarian Response in Ukraine, information on evacuation channels from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Mariupol would be transmitted to Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk on Wednesday.

Ceasefire violations by Russia have caused loss of civilian lives previously. It had also majorly disrupted evacuation plans in several Ukrainian cities that faced direct Russian attacks. Russia has made several ceasefire offers since.