By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that Russia must suspend its ‘military operations’ in Ukraine immediately. This announcement comes after Turkish and Russian foreign ministers met in Moscow to continue talks on working toward what Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said should be “a permanent ceasefire.” In a joint news conference both ministers spoke about the conflict in Ukraine. Cavusoglu raised his concerns with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the urgent need for humanitarian corridors and civilians and all Ukrainian citizens need to be allowed to leave conflict zones especially in Mariupol he said, where Turkey has already evacuated 15,000 of its citizens.
Lavrov said “Today’s talks confirmed that we need to meet often and regularly exchange views on the key issues of our bilateral agenda, but first of all about the international situation, which has been experiencing deep changes.” Lavrov added that preparations are underway with Turkey for a new meeting of the countries’ High-Level Cooperation Council. The Russian foreign minister commented: “Ties between Russia and Turkey have growing importance for maintaining regional and global stability, and both countries are known for their ability to find optimal solutions to problems based on mutual benefit and a balance of interests.” The minister added that both he and Cavusoglu reviewed their political dialogue as well as talks between Turkish leader Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Cavusoglu is scheduled for talks with President Zelensky and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba on Thursday. Zelensky was visited on Wednesday by the presidents of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia who expressed their solidarity and support for Ukraine. In the latest developments out of Ukraine, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister reported that the Russian military are holding 400 hostages at a hospital they captured in the city of Mariupol which has been under siege for days by Russian troops. Medical personnel are among the hostages being held and according to a female source there, Iryna Vereshchuk – Russian troops have been firing from the hospital, threatening civilians trying to escape the city. In addition, The International Committee of The Red Cross (ICRC) reported in a tweet with photos and said:
“Right now, tens of thousands of families are living under the constant threat of danger in Mariupol.
They’re huddled in whatever shelter they can find.
They have limited food and water.
They’re terrified.”
