UN Chief Says It’s Ready To ‘Fully Mobilize’ In Mariupol—But Russian Foreign Minister Says Evacuation Pleas Are Merely ‘Theatrical’

Topline

The heavily besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol that became a focus of international attention for its humanitarian situation was a key subject of contention Tuesday during a joint press conference between United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Key Facts

Chief Critic

Several high-ranking Ukrainian officials took issue with Guterres’ trip to Russia, including Igor Zhovkva, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday the trip is “not [a]
good idea.” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba similarly expressed doubt about what Guterres’ visit signifies in an interview Monday with the Associated Press, but emphasized Guterres “should focus primarily on one issue: [the] evacuation of Mariupol.”

What To Watch For

Guterres is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Tuesday and Zelensky later this week.

Tangent

During a Monday interview on Russian state television, Lavrov ominously warned the threat of nuclear war “should not be underestimated,” accusing NATO of waging a proxy war with Russia by supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Further Reading

‘Not good idea’: Ukrainians dump on U.N. chief’s planned Putin meeting (Politico)

Ukraine Says Humanitarian Corridor To Allow Evacuation Of Civilians From Mariupol Steel Plant Hasn’t Been Opened (Forbes)

Don’t Underestimate Threat Of Nuclear War, Russian Foreign Minister Warns (Forbes)