There will be a ceasefire in the encircled Ukrainian Azov sea port city of Mariupol beginning by 10.00am local time on Saturday, 5th March 2022. The Russian Ministry of Defense said it will halt its offensive so residents can leave the encircled city. The ceasefire will extend to a nearby town of Volnovakha, a city also controlled by Ukrainians.
The agreement to establish a humanitarian corridor for residents of an encircled cities was made in conjunction with Ukraine. Russians and Ukrainians met for a second round of peace talks in Belarus on Thursday.
According to a Russian Today report on the ceasefire, Mikhail Podolyak, a member of Ukraine’s negotiation team, confirmed earlier that the two sides had spoken about the possibility of temporarily ceasing hostilities in order for civilians to evacuate.
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Mariupol Mayor Vadim Boychenko said the ceasefire will allow work to commence on the restoration of electricity and water supply, as well as cell phone service. He added that local officials will also seek to deliver food and first-aid kits.
Russia launched what it called ‘military operation’ in Ukraine last week, arguing that it was defending the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the neighboring Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), which broke away from Ukraine shortly after the 2014 coup in Kiev. Moscow also said it was seeking the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country. Meanwhile, Ukraine said the attack was entirely unprovoked and has appealed to the international community for help.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
