Ukraine-Russia talks: "an understanding reached" on humanitarian corridors

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2022, 19:48

During their second round of talks, the Russian and Ukrainian sides have reached an understanding on the joint provision of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the sites of the fiercest fighting.

Source: Mykhailo Podoliak, Adviser to the Head of the President's Office, speaking to journalists

Verbatim communiqué: "The parties agreed on the joint provision of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, as well as for the delivery of medicines and food to the sites of the fiercest fighting, with the possibility of a temporary ceasefire for the period of evacuation in those areas." 

Details: Podoliak clarified that a ceasefire is not possible everywhere - only in those places where humanitarian corridors will be located during evacuations.

"Special channels of communication and interaction will be organised in the near future and appropriate logistics procedures will be developed," he said. "Unfortunately, we did not get the results we were hoping for," he added, commenting on the general outcome of the second round of talks.

According to Podoliak, the parties discussed the humanitarian aspect in "sufficient detail", as many cities are now surrounded, and the situation with food, medicine and the possibility of evacuation is critical.

 "We have agreed to continue our negotiations in a third round of talks as soon as possible," Podoliak said.