Russia Bombards Kyiv During Guterres’ Visit

Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital resumed after a two-week pause, coinciding with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to the city. Guterres’ spokesman told reporters that he and his delegation are safe but shocked.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, announced that five targets were hit in Russian missile attacks on the capital. According to relief organizations, at least 10 people were injured in the Russian missile attacks. Part of a 25-story residential building was destroyed.

The UN Secretary-General’s spokesman told reporters that Guterres and his team are safe but shocked.

Mikhail Podoliak, Zelenskyy’s advisor, said that shortly before, Guterres was sitting in the Kremlin, and now he hears explosions overhead. He sarcastically asked: “Is this Moscow-style hospitality?”

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, also described Russia’s military operation on Twitter as “despicable and barbaric” and said: “Russia once again showed its attitude toward Ukraine, Europe, and the world.”

The UN Secretary-General said in his meeting in Moscow and meeting with Putin that he was working to do everything possible to end the war and the suffering of the people.

However, Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Guterres and the Security Council in a press conference, saying that this body had failed in doing everything within its power to prevent and end this war.

Guterres, during his visit to Ukraine, said that UN staff have taken every necessary action to help the people of Ukraine.

After meeting with Guterres, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the end of the siege of the Mariupol steel plant.

Russia Opposes Complete Evacuation of Azovstal Besieged

Around one thousand civilians along with two thousand soldiers are besieged at the Mariupol Iron and Steel Plant by Russian forces.

The United Nations announced that António Guterres and Vladimir Putin agreed during their Tuesday, April 26 meeting in Moscow to evacuate the besieged from the steel plant.

However, Russia has rejected negotiations on establishing a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of all those besieged at the Azovstal steel plant.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said that Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, stated that only civilians can leave through humanitarian corridors, and Ukrainian soldiers must surrender and lay down their weapons.

Guterres: As Many as 25 Million Ukrainians May Need Assistance

Guterres told Zelenskyy during their meeting that the United Nations is preparing to make cash payments to two million Ukrainians affected by the Russian army’s attack on the country. He announced that the United Nations, in coordination with the Ukrainian government, will cover 1.3 million people by the end of May, and this number will reach two million by August.

According to Guterres, this plan is a “special assistance,” as the United Nations typically only provides cash to victims in countries where the government is unable to provide such assistance.

Guterres emphasized that in the worst-case scenario, as many as 25 million Ukrainians may need humanitarian assistance by the end of the year.

Source: DW