Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on the international community to put pressure on Russia to ensure the withdrawal of civilians from the surrounded city of Mariupol.
He posted the statement on his Twitter account.
Kuleba stressed that Russia has actually taken 300,000 civilians in the city hostage and is not allowing them to be evacuated, despite agreements involving the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"Yesterday one child already died of dehydration! War crimes are part of Russia's chosen strategy. I call on all countries to publicly demand from Russia - let them let people out!" - The foreign minister wrote.
President Volodymyr Zelensky made a similar appeal.
As a reminder, around noon on March 8, the Azov regiment said that Russian troops launched an attack on Mariupol and are not letting people out of the city.
At least part of the people evacuated from Sumy managed to leave.
Russia holds 300k civilians hostage in Mariupol, prevents humanitarian evacuation despite agreements with ICRC mediation. One child died of dehydration (!) yesterday! War crimes are part of Russia’s deliberate strategy. I urge all states to publicly demand: RUSSIA, LET PEOPLE GO!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 8, 2022
