In the past few days, the biggest change in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is the battle of Mariupol .
Since Russia launched a special military operation, the battle in Mariupol has been in a stalemate. Recently, the Russian army has basically controlled Mariupol, leaving only the remaining Ukrainian troops surrounded at the Azov Steel Plant.
What is the current situation? Let’s take a look at the latest progress:
Putin :
Strong attack on the Azov Steel Plant is not suitable
Cancel the strong attack order
According to CCTV News, on the 21st local time, Russian President Putin said that it is not suitable to attack the Azov Steel Plant and cancel the strong attack order.
On the 21st local time, Russian President Putin met with Defense Minister Shoigu, who reported to Putin the current situation in Mariupol.
Shoigu said that Mariupol is the capital of the nationalist "Azov Camp". Except for the Azov Steel Plant, the Russian army has completely controlled Mariupol. Shoigu said that there are currently about 2,000 militants surrounded by the Azov Steel Plant. Shoigu said that the Russian army and the Donetsk armed forces have taken all measures to ensure the safety of Mariupol civilians, and 142,000 Mariupol civilians have been evacuated.
In addition, Shoigu also said that it will take about 3 to 4 days to complete the combat operation of the Azov Steel Plant.
Russia said it could control the Azov Steel Plant today
Previously, the leader of the Chechen Republic of Russia Kadrov posted an audio on social media in the early morning of the 21st local time that the Azov Steel Plant could be completely controlled around noon that day. He said that the strategy and personnel are ready, and it is only a matter of time before the Azov Steel Plant is captured.
According to Ukrainian media reports on the same day, the Azov Steel Plant in Mariupol was bombed by Russian troops and was almost completely destroyed.
Zelensky: Azou Steel Plant has 1,000 civilians
Russian side: Kiev authorities obstruct the evacuation
Russian State Defense Command Center Head Mizintev issued a statement on the evening of the 19th saying that starting from Moscow time on the 20th (19:00 Beijing time on the 20th), Russia will continue to open humanitarian channels at Azou Steel Plant to allow Ukrainian armed personnel and foreign mercenaries who have laid down their weapons to evacuate.
The Russian Ministry of Defense issued an announcement on the evening of the 20th stating that due to obstruction by the Kiev authorities, no personnel located inside the Azov Iron and Steel Plant factory area used the humanitarian corridor to evacuate on that day. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the commanders of nationalists once again missed the opportunity to save their lives and their subordinates.
Russia once again emphasized that it is necessary to ensure the safety of the lives of all people who voluntarily put down their weapons.
Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Velesuk said on social media on the evening of the 20th local time that the humanitarian corridor that evacuated personnel from Mariupol that day did not operate as planned. She said that Ukraine will continue to organize humanitarian corridors on the 21st.
Ukrainian President Zelensky stressed on the 20th that about 1,000 civilians took refuge in the Azov factory in Mariupol. According to the Ukrainian UNIAH news agency, Zelensky said he was willing to trade Russian personnel captured by Ukraine for secure access to Mariupol civilians and Ukrainian troops.
Russian side: A draft negotiation document has been submitted to Ukraine
Zelensky: No, there is no
Local time, Russian President's press secretary Peskov said that Russia has submitted a draft negotiation document to Ukraine and is waiting for a reply. The time of the reply depends on Ukraine.
Peskov said that Ukraine often changes its position, which has had a negative impact on the effectiveness of the negotiations. There are many places in Ukraine's work that need to be strengthened, and Ukraine has no tendency to speed up the negotiation process.
Ukrainian President Zelensky and European Council Chairman Michel 20 held talks and then accepted media interviews together.
In response to questions about the Russian side's statement that it submitted a draft negotiation document to Kiev on April 15, Zelensky said he had not seen any proposals from Russia and he was convinced that the proposals did not exist.
Zelensky also said that the statement that Kyrgyzstan said "the ball is in Kiev" is inaccurate. He emphasized that Ukraine will definitely kick off the ball immediately after getting the ball.
Ukrainian President’s latest statement
Ukrainian President Zelensky said at a joint press conference after talks with European Council President Michel on the 20th that Ukraine will regard “joining EU ” as a priority goal.
Zelensky reiterated his willingness to hold talks with Russian President Putin to discuss ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. He also re-accused Russia of having no intention of resolving the conflict peacefully.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said in a video speech delivered on the 20th that the EU is planning to impose a sixth round of sanctions on Russia, and he also claimed that the new sanctions must be "really painful."
Zelensky claimed in the video, "We are working hard to make the Russian military machine and the entire Russia feel real pain." He also added that he had a "very in-depth dialogue" with European Council President Michel on defensive and financial issues and sanctions, "in particular, sanctions that will impose restrictions on Russia's energy sector, banking sector, exports, imports and transportation."
reported that Zelensky also called for a full embargo on Russian oil supply.
A fire broke out at a chemical plant in Russia
According to CCTV News, on the 21st local time, a fire broke out at a chemical plant in Kineshma City, Ivanov Prefecture, Russia, with a total overburning area of more than 800 square meters. At present, the local emergency department has sent a fire brigade to the scene to put out the fire. The employees in the factory were evacuated urgently and no reports of casualties have been received yet.
G20 Respond to the differences in Russia
No joint statement
No joint statement
G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting was held in Washington, USA on the 20th local time. After the news that the U.S. and Canada's Treasury Secretary and Ukraine representatives directly withdrew the stage when the Russian representative was spoken by the Russian representative, some foreign media, including , Japan Kyodo News, , reported on the 21st that the participating countries had differences on how to deal with Russia's military actions against Ukraine, Indonesia, which served as the rotating presidency of the G20, also gave up the summary joint statement.
Nikkei Chinese reported that voices condemning Russia's actions against Ukraine appeared one after another at the meeting, but some members also expressed concern about the impact of Japan, the United States and Europe on the implementation of economic sanctions on Russia on the world economy, and the meeting ultimately failed to issue a joint statement. It is reported that the rotating press conference of the presidency that day began 30 minutes later than originally planned.
It is reported that this scene also occurred during the meeting: When Russian representatives and Finance Ministers Anton Siluanov began their video speech, US Treasury Secretary Yelen and other finance ministers of many countries with Ukrainian representatives withdrew from the meeting. Kyodo News said that Japanese financial minister Suzuki Shunichi has not left the seat.
Before the meeting, a few G20 member states demanded to "discharge" Moscow on the grounds of the Ukrainian crisis. Indonesia, which serves as the rotating presidency of the G20, said that it would not exclude Russia from the organization.
Faced with reporters asking whether the G20 framework has practical effects, Indonesian Finance Minister Muliani responded at a press conference that "all participating countries hope to maintain G20 cooperation." He also said that in the face of the difficulties faced by the world economy such as rising energy and food prices and central banks hike rates, hibernation of interest rates in , exploring the framework of international cooperation is indispensable.
Source: China Fund News
Original title: burst! Putin: Cancel the order to attack! Ukrainian President's latest statement: "Accommodating to the EU" is regarded as a priority target
