The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry supported the proposal for an Easter ceasefire/Ukrayinska Pravda

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for the introduction of a four-day Easter “humanitarian pause” in Ukraine, starting from Maundy Thursday on April 21. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine supported this proposal.

The Ministry noted that a humanitarian pause is necessary for the safe evacuation of thousands of civilians who wish to leave the danger zones.

And above all, people from the long-suffering Mariupol need to be evacuated.

We highly appreciate the readiness of the UN to ensure the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the population of the most affected regions of Ukraine in the event of a “silence regime” – the message says.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on Russia to stop attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets so that the protection of the civilian population can be ensured. In particular, people in vulnerable situations, including women and children, humanitarian personnel and journalists.

We call on Russia to fully respect international efforts to protect medical and humanitarian personnel, their vehicles and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical institutions, the Foreign Ministry noted.

The Russian military must end the blockade of temporarily occupied cities

In addition, Russia must ensure safe and unhindered access to the population in the temporarily occupied territories for humanitarian personnel, their vehicles and equipment.

We note that the blockade by the Russian military of Ukrainian cities, Mariupol in particular, further aggravate the already critical humanitarian situation for the civilian population and impede evacuation efforts. Russia must immediately end these blockades, the message says.

If Russia fulfills these conditions, it will ensure the voluntary, safe and unhindered passage of civilians fleeing aggression and violence.

Ukraine has always been and remains committed to resolving the conflict through peaceful and diplomatic means. We also reaffirmed our agreement to the proposals for a humanitarian truce, transmitted by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs – Crisis Coordinator Martin Griffiths during his visit to Ukraine, the agency added.