Ukraine says humanitarian corridor to Russia unacceptable

Lviv, Ukraine, Mar 7 (EFE).- The Ukrainian government said Monday that Moscow’s plan to set up humanitarian corridors and evacuate the civilian population from Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy was unacceptable as the planned route would take them to Russian cities.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Telegram that on two occasions the Russians blocked the opening of humanitarian corridors by bombing the convoys’ route.

She added that the Russians now look to open the corridors, but want all civilians to enter Russian territory, which is absurd and unacceptable to Ukraine.

Russia recently announced a temporary ceasefire starting at 10 am local time (07.00 GMT) to open humanitarian corridors in Kyiv (north), Mariupol (south-east), Kharkiv (east), and Sumy (north-east) with six routes, four of which lead to Russian cities.

The evacuation plan for Kyiv also includes passing through Belarusian territory, followed by air transport to Russia.

Vereshchuk stressed that the global community must exert pressure on Russia, as Ukraine urgently needs humanitarian corridors for its civilian population in its cities facing Russian missile and artillery assault.

She also asked the people not to trust in any information regarding the humanitarian corridors except those provided by the Ukrainian government. EFE

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