Peskov: Civilians of besieged Azovstal factory can leave

Moscow, SANA- Russia has affirmed that civilians in the besieged Azovstal factory in Mariupol can leave, while the military ones must lay down weapons and surrender.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by TASS news agency as saying in comments on the recent statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Kyiv about negotiating who will remain at the Azovstal plant. “We do not see a topic for discussion regarding invitations to negotiate in this regard. Russian President Vladimir Putin has clearly said in advance that civilians can leave freely in any direction they want and that the military men should lay down their arms and leave as well, and in this case their lives will be preserved and medical assistance will be provided to all the wounded and sick so what  else can be negotiated.

“All civilians if there are actually civilians in Azovstal are free to leave the factory anywhere and Ukrainian soldiers must allow them to leave” Putin had stressed during his meeting with Guterres last Tuesday.

Bushra Dabin / Mazen Eyon