Ukraine proposes talks with Russia at Mariupol defense stronghold

Mariupol, a Strategic Point Connecting Crimea Peninsula and Donbas Region

Smoke is rising from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, a southern port city of Ukraine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Wooseok] Ukraine has proposed holding a special summit near the Ukrainian military stronghold defending Mariupol against Russia.

According to AFP on the 24th (local time), Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, stated, "We proposed to the Russian side to hold a special summit right next to Azovstal."

The Azovstal steel plant is the last stronghold defending Mariupol, which has been besieged by Ukrainian forces for nearly two months. It is known that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops, including the 36th Marine Brigade and the Azov Regiment, are stationed there.

Advisor Arestovych previously informed via social media that "Russian forces, supported by air force and artillery, are attempting a full-scale attack on the Azovstal steel plant," and "Russian forces are trying to annihilate 1,000 civilians who have taken refuge in the factory along with the Azovstal defenders."

Meanwhile, Mariupol is a strategic key point connecting the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia forcibly annexed in 2014, and the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Since attacking Ukraine, Russia has focused on capturing Mariupol, but Ukrainian forces are desperately resisting using the Azovstal steel plant as their base.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.