Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a telephone call on Sunday that a ceasefire and better humanitarian conditions were needed following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, his office said in a statement.
“Erdogan noted the importance of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the implementation of peace and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the region,” his office said in a readout of the call.
It added they agreed the next round of peace committee talks between Ukraine and Russia would be held in Istanbul.
Read more: Turkey to remain a mediator in Russia-Ukraine conflict
Earlier on Sunday, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said the next round of face to face talks between Ukraine and Russia will take place in Turkey on March 28-30.
Russia announces temporary ceasefire
Russia said its forces had stopped firing near two Ukrainian cities on Saturday to allow safe passage to civilians fleeing fighting, but was continuing its broad offensive in Ukraine, where the capital Kyiv came under renewed assault.
The Russian defence ministry said its units had opened humanitarian corridors near the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha which were encircled by its troops, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.
“ ‘Erdogan noted the importance of a ceasefire between #Russia and #Ukraine , the implementation of peace & the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the region,’ his office said in a readout of the call.” @FRANCE24 #Turkey #ProtectCivilians
— Christina Ayiotis, Esq., CRM, CIPP/E, AIGP (@christinayiotis) March 27, 2022
In Mariupol, citizens would be allowed to leave during a five-hour window, it quoted the city’s officials as saying.
The Ukrainian government said the plan was to evacuate around 200,000 people from Mariupol and 15,000 from Volnovakha, and the Red Cross is the ceasefire’s guarantor.
The Russian defence ministry said a broad offensive would continue in Ukraine, RIA said.
Aid agencies have warned of an unfolding humanitarian disaster as food, water and medical supplies run short and refugees stream into western Ukraine and neighbouring European countries.
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In the southeastern port city of Mariupol – whose capture would be a key prize for Russia – there is no water, heat or electricity and food is running out, according to Mayor Vadym Boychenko.
“We are simply being destroyed,” he said.
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk