So, this is about as cynical as it gets. Asked to establish safe corridors for civilians fleeing the fighting in Ukraine to western Europe, Russia made an offer Ukraine could refuse (Washington Post):
Moscow’s proposed evacuation routes to Russia and Belarus are “unacceptable,” Ukraine said, insisting that civilians fleeing battle zones should be allowed to reach western Ukraine or European Union countries.
Russia announced six evacuation routes from several Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, and hard-hit Kharkiv and Mariupol — four leading to either Russia or its ally, Belarus. Meanwhile, local Ukrainian leaders cast doubt on Russia’s claims of a temporary cease-fire, as Moscow’s forces continued to bombard areas across Ukraine. Russia, without providing evidence, accused Ukraine of breaking the cease-fires.
“We do not have confirmation at the moment that a cease-fire started … [or] is settled for this day,” Sergei Orlov, deputy mayor of the port city of Mariupol, told the BBC. He said it was difficult to collect information, given that the city has been without electricity, heat, water or phones for days and that Russian shelling continues. “The route is not safe,” he said.
BBC: Ukraine condemned this condition as “completely immoral”.
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