Azerbaijan reiterates call for dialogue between Russia, Ukraine

Lives of civilians should always be protected, says foreign minister

By Omer Faruk Yildiz

GENEVA (AA) - Azerbaijan on Wednesday reiterated its call for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.

Azerbaijan “deeply regrets” that the ongoing crisis in Ukraine has caused civilian casualties, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the 49th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Noting that the lives of civilians should always be protected, Bayramov said that his country has acted to provide medical equipment and other first aid supplies to the Ukrainian people.

"At this critical time, Azerbaijan reiterates its call for dialogue without delay before the current tension escalates further, and draws attention to the importance of direct negotiations between the parties," he added.

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began on Feb. 24, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Around 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the international body said Tuesday.

Kaynak: