The Office of the UN Secretary-General, following his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced Russia's agreement to evacuate Azovstal.
Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres, announced in a statement.
It is reported that during a tete-a-tete meeting held in Moscow on April 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary-General António Guterres discussed proposals for humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of civilians from the conflict zones, namely in connection with the situation in Mariupol.
"During the tête-a-tête meeting, the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations’ position on Ukraine, and they discussed the proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones, namely in relation to the situation in Mariupol." the statement said.
Subsequent discussions will be held with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
It should be noted that the Russian media, following the results of the talks, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry, report that Russia is ready to "consider UN initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Ukraine." And only if they actually contribute to this.
In addition, during the meeting, Putin is said to have deceived António Guterres by saying that the humanitarian corridors are working and that there are no civilians at Azovstal, only "terrorists".
After a visit to the Russian Federation, Guterres will travel to Kyiv.
