The Russian side, which continues to attack violently in eastern Ukraine, is poised to further intensify its offensive as the Ukrainian troops defending it did not respond to the request for surrender.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kreva emphasized the perception that ceasefire negotiations could be halted if more deaths occur, and the future Russian outlook will be the focus.
The Russian army, which continues to invade, claims to have surrounded the steelworks where Ukrainian troops are based in order to take full control of Mariupol, a key point in eastern Ukraine. He demanded that he be disarmed and surrender by 7 pm on the 17th of Japan time.
In response, the Ukrainian side did not meet the deadline, and Commander Maxim Zorin of the paramilitary organization "Azov Battalion", which defends Mariupol, told NHK on the 17th, "We will continue to fight and will never surrender." He expressed his determination to fight thoroughly and revealed that he was sending support troops from the suburbs of the capital Kieu to Mariupol.
"There are many women and children on the grounds of the Ukrainian troop-based steelworks to hide from the bombardment," Mariupol's police told local television.
Meanwhile, the local Russian captain is poised to further intensify the offensive, saying that "our proposal was ignored," the state-owned Russian news agency reported.
Prior to this, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Konashenkov, said that the Ukrainian side included soldiers like foreigners and warned that "if we continue to resist further, we will annihilate it." Attacks by the military could be even more intense.
Under these circumstances, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kleba appeared on CBS TV in the United States on the 17th, saying that "Mariupol may be a line that should not be crossed", and if more deaths occur in Mariupol's troops, a ceasefire It emphasizes the recognition that negotiations may be canceled, and the future focus will be on the Russian side.