What would it take to end the war in Ukraine and bring about peace? As Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told BBC’s Frank Gardner, a peace deal would involve, “a return of Russian forces to where they were on 23 February.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the withdrawal of Russian forces to their pre-invasion positions would be the minimum that his country could accept.
“But for this to happen there needs to be diplomatic dialogue,” Zelensky added. “From our side, not all the diplomatic bridges have been burnt.”
The President added that he was the leader of “Ukraine, not a mini-Ukraine”. However, Zelensky made no mention of Crimea that was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Also Read: Russia-Ukraine conflict: Fresh Mariupol evacuation on despite clashes
Currently, Russian forces are attempting to wrest control of the port city of Mariupol. Zelensky said that diplomatic efforts are underway in order to save the Ukrainian soldiers defending the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, reported Al Jazeera. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said 50 women, children and elderly people were evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed security aid to war-torn Ukraine, and their commitment to holding Russia accountable for its invasion of the country, in a phone call on Friday, the White House said in a statement.
Also read: Diplomatic efforts underway to save defenders in Mariupol: Zelensky
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders, including Biden, will hold a video call on Sunday with Zelensky in a show of unity the day before Russia marks its Victory Day holiday, the White House added. Biden also announced a military aid package to Ukraine worth $150m, confirmed a US official.
The official said the latest tranche of assistance includes 25,000 155mm artillery rounds, as well as counter-artillery radars, jamming equipment, field equipment and spare parts.
Also read: Russian warship Admiral Makarov hit by Ukrainian anti-ship missile: Report
On the other hand, the UN Security Council on Friday issued its first statement on the crisis in Ukraine, but withheld from using the words “war”, “conflict” or “invasion”.
The statement instead “expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine” and voiced “strong support” for Secretary General Antonio Guterres in seeking a peaceful solution to the “dispute”.
“The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine” it reads.“The Security Council recalls that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.”
