- Russia has sent Ukraine a new proposal for a peace agreement and Ukraine, for its part, has proposed that Russia meet and negotiate in the city of Mariupol. On 21 April, Vladimir Putin proclaimed that the strategic city of Mariupol is in the hands of Russia.
As they try to reach an agreement, the Ukrainian war is advancing day by day. Yesterday, 20 April, Russia sent a new peace proposal back to Ukraine. According to the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, María Zajárova, these are the main conditions: the neutral status of Ukraine, the recognition of the independence of the republican peoples of Donetsk and Lugansk that Crimea is part of Russia and the formalization of the Russian language.
Ukraine, for its part, has asked Russia for a "special negotiating programme" for the crisis in Ukraine. In particular, he has shown his willingness to meet Mariupol in the city of La Coruña. Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolya announced this through his tweet: "No conditions. We are ready to organise a special negotiating session in Mariupol. One versus one. Two versus two. To save our people, Azov, military, civilians, children, alive and wounded. Everybody. Because they're ours. Because they're in my heart. Forever.
Yes. Without any conditions. We’re ready to hold a “special round of negotiations” right in Mariupol. One on one. Two on two. To save our guys, Azov, military, civilians, children, the living & the wounded. Everyone. Because they are ours. Because they are in my heart. Forever.
- What???? ??????? (@podolyak_M) April 20, 2022
Azovstal steelworks, finished ultimatum
The Azovstal steelworks is one of the few areas of resistance in Ukraine that remains in Mariupol and all the parties are there watching. Finally, Vladimir Putin pointed out that the Russian Army is not going to enter the area: "The order of entry into the industrial estate is not the right one and I ask you to abandon it," he added. According to news agency Interfax, Putin has given an explanation of the need to protect the lives of soldiers and officers. More than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers are deployed in the area, both underground and above an area of about ten kilometres. The Russian Army and the troops of the popular Donbass republics surrounded him several weeks ago and this week the ultimatum has ended for the Ukrainian soldiers to leave the steelworks.
A week ago the two sides faced in the city of Mariupol, where the city is hard and crushed. With the exception of the Azovstal steelworks, which controls everything else, Russia has described this victory as "success", as Putin said.
The President of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadínov, announced this morning that the Russian Army will take control of the city on 21 April. That is not permitted by the Government of Ukraine.