Ukraine urges Russia to heed UN chief’s call for humanitarian pause

By Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - Ukraine’s foreign minister on Tuesday urged Russia to heed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for an end to the war and a four-day humanitarian pause.

"Russia must finally hear UN Secretary General @antonioguterres and end its war on Ukraine or at least allow a humanitarian pause," said Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter.

"Let me remind there is only one aggressor and invader in this war: Russia. Ukraine has always been and remains ready to seek peace," he added.

Guterres on Tuesday called for a four-day Orthodox Easter “humanitarian pause beginning on Holy Thursday and running through Easter Sunday, April 24th, to allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors.”

He said the pause would allow for the safe passage of all civilians and the safe delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to people in the hardest-hit areas such as Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.

At least 2,104 civilians have been killed and 2,862 injured in Ukraine so far in the war that started on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates, with the true figure believed to be much higher.

More than 4.9 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7 million more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.