Russia Says Plans to Provide Assistance in Evacuation of Foreigners from Mariupol
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Chief of Russia's National Defense Control Center Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev said his country will render assistance in the evacuation of foreigners being kept in Mariupol at the request of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"In accordance with the request of the President of the Republic of Turkey to the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir) Putin, the decision was made to provide full assistance in the evacuation of foreign citizens held hostage by the remaining militants of nationalist battalions in certain areas of Mariupol," Mizintsev noted, TASS reported.
Russia is coordinating operations to remove residents and foreigners from Ukraine's vulnerable regions, according to the Colonel-General. "We are constantly cooperating with the UN, the OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other international organizations for that goal," he stated.
According to Mizintsev, Russia remains vigilant to humanitarian initiatives from other countries and international organizations.
On April 2, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stated that Ankara can provide ship support for the evacuation of civilians and those wounded in Mariupol.