The United Nations secretary general says the organisation is ready to evacuate civilians from Mariupol during a meeting with Russia’s foreign minister in Moscow
Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Russia after receiving a letter warning that the UN is being “marginalised” in this crisis.
The UN is now ready to fully mobilise its resources to evacuate people from the besieged Ukrainian port city, adding “thousands are in need of dire assistance”
Guterres says he understands Moscow has many grievances and frustrations, but notes the UN has many avenues which are specifically designed to deal with such circumstances, including the International Court of Justice.
When speaking on the war, the secretary general notes there is one thing that is clear – while there aren’t any Ukrainian troops in Russia, there are Russian troops in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Speaking after meeting the UN’s secretary general, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his justifications for the war, but says he is hopeful of a diplomatic path forward.
In Berlin, the German government has approved the delivery of anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine after facing strong pressure both at home and abroad.
The German government had long opposed providing such assistance, with this final decision made after a closed-door meeting on Monday.
There are currently no details on how many German tanks will be provided, but the announcement is a significant shift in opinion of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Scholz had previously cited the risk of nuclear war if Germany was to deliver anti-aircraft tanks, while believing it would be better for Eastern NATO countries to give Kyiv old Soviet-era tanks instead.
