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A burned out tank in Mariupol on April 16, 2022
Photo:
IMAGO/Sergei Bobylev / IMAGO/ITAR-TASS
Harsh words to Russia: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has threatened the Kremlin with an end to the peace talks if Ukrainian militants are killed in the port city of Mariupol.
"The destruction of our guys in Mariupol, what they are doing right now (...), could put an end to any form of negotiations," Zelenskyy said in an interview with local Internet media published on Saturday.
The Russian troops behaved differently towards the various Ukrainian units.
"There are military officers there who absolutely hate [Ukrainian soldiers] and I don't think they will let them live," said the Ukrainian leader, referring to the nationalist-dominated Azov regiment.
Referring to the remaining Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol, who are holed up in the Azovstal Steel Works, Zelenskyy said: "We are in contact with the guys in the surrounded plant."
After the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, Mariupol was completely surrounded by Russian troops in early March.
Russia's army claims to have captured most of the city on the Azov Sea.
According to a media report, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Saturday that the Ukrainian armed forces had been almost completely expelled from the coastal city.
Accordingly, the Ukrainians are said to have lost more than 4,000 military personnel in Mariupol.
The information cannot be independently verified.
Johnson assures Selenskyj further support
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson meanwhile promised Zelenskyy a delivery of armed vehicles in the coming days.
Johnson has assured Selenskyj that Britain will continue to provide Ukraine with material to defend itself, Downing Street said in a statement on Saturday evening.
The two heads of government also discussed the need for a long-term solution to Ukraine's security.
Johnson said he would work closely with partners and allies to ensure the country could defend its sovereignty in the coming weeks and months.
Johnson met Selenskyj in person in Kyiv last week.
atb/dpa/Reuters