Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, reacted to Vladimir Putin’s idea that Ukrainian grain be exported through Belarus.
According to Zelensky, Kyiv will reject such an idea.
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We were offered the opportunity to [export grain] via rail through Belarus. We even know how much grain there is. But we also realize why we were given this opportunity. According to RIA Novosti, Zelensky stated, “We are not yet ready to adopt this model and help our “friendly neighbors.”
Vladimir Putin previously stated that exporting Ukrainian grain through Belarus would be the simplest solution to the situation. To accomplish so, however, sanctions imposed by Minsk must be lifted.
According to Putin, grain can be exported through Ukraine-controlled ports such as Odessa, Russian-controlled ports on the Sea of Azov, the Danube and Romania, Hungary, and Poland. Putin feels that exporting grain through Belarus and then to Baltic ports is the most cost-effective route.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko suggested on June 3 that Minsk may assist Kyiv with grain exports through the country. Nonetheless, he stated that such help would not be unconditional: in addition to Ukrainian food, European ports would have to receive Belarusian fertilizers, according to Lukashenko.
Zelensky admits Azovstal fighters surrendered to Russia
According to RIA Novosti, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly stated that roughly 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers from the Azovstal steel complex in Mariupol surrendered to Russian forces.
According to Zelensky, the topic of prisoner exchange has been given to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
“Today is the second part – getting them back home alive….” They have my personal trust. We anticipate a response from them. “So, what’s up?” we can’t ask them every day. According to Zelensky (quote from Interfax-Ukraine).
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu hailed the “liberation” of Mariupol on May 20, less than three months after the military campaign began. The Azovstal steel plant served as the revolution’s epicenter.
Initially, Russia planned to raid the plant, but President Putin ordered the industrial zone to be closed on April 21. The people were the first to be evacuated from the plant in early May, followed by the wounded, and then the military.
On May 20, Russian forces took complete control of Azovstal. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Azov* Regiment (considered extreme and banned in Russia) and the Ukrainian military surrendered a total of 2,439 fighters.