Russia and Ukraine blamed each other today as attempts to form a humanitarian corridor out of Mariupol failed for the second time. The strategic city on the Azov Sea has been under siege and without electricity, food and water for days.
The evacuation of around 400,000 residents trapped by encircling Russian forces — attempted under a temporary ceasefire – was supposed to begin today. A similar plan had to be abandoned on Saturday after the ceasefire failed, with both sides trading charges.
According to AFP, in a new development, French President, Emmanuel Macron and Russian President, Vladamir Putin held new telephone talks that lasted over 1 hour 45 minutes.