On the 21st local time, Russian President Putin met with Defense Minister Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu to learn about the battle situation of Mariupol . At present, except for Azovstal, the Russian army has completely controlled Mariupol. Since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine have been in a stalemate in the fight and struggle over Mariupol, a strategic port city in southeastern Ukraine. Previously, Russian media published an article saying that Kiev authorities regarded Mariupol as "Ukrainian Stalingrad ", and even the success or failure of this battle may become the turning point in the entire Russian-Ukrainian battlefield .
"There is no need to climb into these catacombs"
Shoigu said that Mariupol is the capital of the nationalist "Azov Camp". There are currently more than 2,000 militants in the Azov Steel Plant, and it will take about 3 to 4 days to complete the combat operation of the Azov Steel Plant. After listening to Shoigu's introduction, Putin believed that Shoigu's plan to launch a strong attack on the Azov Steel Plant was not appropriate, and asked Shoigu to cancel the strong attack and take siege to surround the Azov Steel Plant.
Putin said that the combat operation to liberate Mariupol was successful. There is no need to let Russian soldiers climb into these catacombs and pass through these industrial facilities underground. However, the steel plant still needs to be blocked, and even a fly in cannot fly out of .
Putin told Shoigu: "Please submit a proposal to award the state reward to our outstanding soldiers. Obviously, in this case, there is no other way. I hope they (the Russian military) know that in the whole Russian philosophy, all of them are heroes." Putin also said that Russia will guarantee the safety of all militants who put down their weapons in Mariupol and stopped fighting.
"Stalingrad in Ukraine"
Mariupol has irreplaceable strategic significance for the current battlefield situation and the Ukrainian economy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the situation in Mariupol, a port city in southern Ukraine, may become a "red line issue" in Ukraine's and Russia negotiations.
Previously, Russian media published an article saying that the Kiev authorities regarded Mariupol as "Stalingrad of Ukraine" and they tried to drag the Russian army there for a long time, thus making it a turning point in the entire war. Geographically, if the Russian army can occupy Mariupol, it will be able to open up the land corridor from eastern Ukraine to Crimea . The Russian army located in Crimea may meet with pro-Russian armed forces in the eastern Ukrainian Donbas region, and Russia will obtain a new strategic and tactical choice .
Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Russian Higher University of Economics, said that Mariupol is an important concentration and defense center of the Ukrainian army. Occupy this city will free up a large amount of troops for the Russian army's military tasks in other regions. The Russian army will be able to complete the reorganization and merger with the civilian armed forces in the Donbas area to accelerate the completion of special military operations in the Donbas region.
BBC also pointed out that if Mariupol is lost. Ukrainian economy will suffer a major blow . For a long time, Mariupol has been a strategic port of Black Sea - Azov Sea region. With the advantages of deep water berths, Mariupol Port is the largest port in the Sea of Azov. The "Azov Steel Plant" located in the city is one of the largest steel plants in Europe. Under normal circumstances, Mariupol is an important central port for Ukraine to export steel, coal and corn to , Middle East, and other places. Some analysts say that if Mariupol is occupied, Russia will completely control more than 80% of Ukraine's Black Sea coastline, thereby cutting off Ukrainian maritime trade.
On the 21st local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky said in an interview with France's BFM TV channel that the Ukrainian government is doing its best to lift the Russian army's siege of Mariupol. But doesn't know how long the defenders can hold on to . Ukrainian troops are now unable to cross the Russian-controlled area and arrive at the blockade line in Mariupol.
"If Mariupol falls, this will be the biggest spoil of Russia has so far in this war ." Australia's " Sydney Morning Herald " previously predicted.
The city of thoughts for the richest man
For the scarred Mariupol, Ukrainian richest man Rinat Akhmetov (Rinat Akhmetov) recently said that he promised to help rebuild the city.
According to Forbes magazine, Akhmetov's net worth reached US$15.4 billion in 2013, while currently only US$3.9 billion. In addition, Metinvest, the largest steel manufacturer in Ukraine under his name, recently announced that it could not deliver the contract, SCM is also paying off its debts, and private power production company DTEK has also reached an agreement with creditors. Metinvest said on April 15 that the company will never operate "under Russian occupation."
"Mariupol is a global tragedy and a global model of heroism. To me, Mariupol has always been and will always be a Ukrainian city." Akhmetov said that Mariupol is where he "looks for heart". He owns two large steel mills in the city, and he vows to make these two factories compete globally again. According to the New York Times , the two steel plants are the backbone of Akhmetov's $3.9 billion wealth, but these factories have been paralyzed during Russia's continued bombing of Ukraine's strategic port cities.
"We definitely need an unprecedented international reconstruction plan, namely Ukraine's Marshall Plan ." Ukraine's richest man, Rinath Akhmetov, has begun to publicly discuss plans for post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
It is reported that the Marshall Plan, officially named European Recovery Program, is a plan for the United States to provide economic assistance and assist in reconstruction to Western European countries destroyed by the war after the end of World War II , which had a profound impact on the development of European countries and the world political landscape. During this period, Western European countries received a total of US$13.15 billion in various forms of assistance from the United States, including finance, technology, equipment, etc.
According to Reuters , the Ukrainian version of the "Marshall Plan" has been recognized by EU . "I think at the end of the day, what we need for Ukraine is a new version of the Marshall Plan," said EU Budget and Administrative Commissioner Johannes Hahn in a press conference. He said that this will help Ukraine recover quickly from the devastation caused by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, rather than taking decades and will allow Ukraine to integrate with the EU faster. It is reported that Ukraine has applied to become an official candidate for joining the EU. Reuters pointed out that even in peacetime, the process was long and the current situation in Ukraine made it impossible to advance.
Hann did not estimate how much money this type of reconstruction plan might require, but said efforts to rebuild Ukraine cannot be borne by Europe alone and that G20 members may have to participate, including Russia.
News and pictures source: BBC, CNN, Reuters, Forbes, New York Times, some pictures are from the exclusive article of the Internet
iWeekly Weekend Pictorial. Please do not reprint without permission
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-