The Russian army, which continues to invade Ukraine, says it will shift the focus of its military operations to eastern Ukraine, and is stepping up its offensive to seize the key point Mariupol.
In addition, it seems that military pressure is being maintained around the capital Kieu, which has said that the operation will be significantly reduced, and tensions are still continuing.
The Russian Defense Ministry has stepped up its eastern offensive to shift the focus of its military operations, including announcing on March 31 that it had destroyed several Ukrainian military fuel bases in eastern Ukraine with cruise missiles.
Governor Gaidai of eastern Luhansk Oblast said in an interview with NHK that "shells hit private houses and kindergartens and cannot even contain the bodies in places where fighting is taking place," Russian troops escorted citizens. He accused him of continuing his indiscriminate attacks.
In an online speech at the Belgian parliament on the 31st, President Zelensky said, "Russian troops are closing all entrances to the city. Food and water. There are no medical supplies, nothing to sustain life, "he said, saying that a serious humanitarian crisis continues.
Meanwhile, Pushirin, a leader of pro-Russian armed groups, has expanded his influence over the territory controlled by insisting that he "establish a local government agency" in Mariupol, and strengthened his offensive toward full control of the city. I am.
In addition, NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a meeting on the 31st, "Russian troops are not withdrawn, but renewed." The pressure on Kyiv and others is continuing, and further attacks are expected in the future. "
Meanwhile, regarding the ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey's Foreign Minister Chaushor said on the 31st, "Turkey may act as an intermediary and hold a foreign ministers' meeting between Russia and Ukraine within a week or two." ..
The focus is on the Russian side's response to the new security framework proposed by the Ukrainian side in the ceasefire negotiations as an alternative to abandoning NATO, and both sides will discuss online on April 1. It is expected to continue.
However, a high-ranking official of the Russian Foreign Ministry said, "Foreign ministerial talks with the Ukrainian side are possible, but they must be well prepared and substantive." It is a situation that cannot be seen.