War in Ukraine: end of negotiations with Moscow if the last soldiers of Mariupol are “eliminated”

“The elimination of our soldiers, of our men (in Mariupol) will put an end to any negotiation” of peace between Russia and Ukraine, declared Mr. Zelensky during an interview with several Ukrainian media, warning that the two parties would then find themselves in “an impasse”. In terms of human toll, “Mariupol, that may be ten times Borodyanka”, a small Ukrainian town near kyiv destroyed after being shelled and the scene of alleged abuses during its occupation by Russian soldiers, accused Mr. Zelensky. And the more Borodyanka there are, the more difficult it will be” to negotiate, he stressed. “To be honest, we have no confidence in the negotiations regarding Mariupol. After the Ukrainian army announced on April 11 that it was preparing for “a final battle” in this southeastern city, Mr. Zelensky admitted a “very difficult situation”. “Our soldiers are surrounded,” he said. “Despite everything, the guys continue to defend themselves. “Forty days after it started, the fighting is now concentrated in the vast industrial zone of Mariupol, near the Sea of ​​Azov. The “contact” is maintained with the Ukrainian forces on the spot, affirmed Mr. Zelensky. “It is a humanitarian crisis, there is no food, no water, no medicine”, he added, accusing Russia to “refuse” the establishment of humanitarian corridors. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian authorities predicted a death toll of 20,000 to 22,000 in Mariupol, a strategic city with a peacetime population of 441,000. The talks between the belligerents have been at a standstill for several days. They are “extremely difficult” according to the words of an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Mykhaïlo Podoliak, on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Ukrainian negotiators of “lack of consistency”. On Saturday, Mr. Zelensky said he wanted a peace treaty with Moscow consisting of “two separate documents”. “One of the two will concern security guarantees for Ukraine, the other (will concern) its relations with Russia directly. “In this first document, the security of Ukraine would be guaranteed by certain countries “having shown” their interest, such as “the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Turkey”, he affirmed in this same interview with the Ukrainian media.