Turkey is ready to provide ships to evacuate civilians and the wounded from Mariupol, which has been under blockade since early March.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said this, DHA reported.
"We can provide ships, primarily for the evacuation of civilians and the wounded, Turkish and other citizens from Mariupol. In this context, our coordination with the authorities of the Russian Federation and Ukraine continues," the minister said.
He also stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and the safe functioning of evacuation corridors.
"We continue to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. Turkey is also providing support for evacuations," Akar said.
He said Turkey is also taking measures to eliminate the danger of drifting mines in the Black Sea, involving patrol planes and ships, as well as mine-hunting ships.
Note that Russian aggression has caused one of the largest humanitarian disasters in Mariupol. The invaders are bombing unarmed residents and blocking humanitarian aid.
According to Mariupol Mayor Vadim Boychenko, as of March 27, the number of civilian casualties in Mariupol was about 5,000, including about 210 children. There are about 160,000 more civilians in Mariupol, which is blockaded by Russian invaders.
