China News Service, April 22 (Xinhua) According to a comprehensive report, on the 21st local time, the Russian side said that it has controlled all areas of Mariupol except the Azov Steel Plant.
In order to reduce Russian casualties, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the cancellation of the plan to attack the Azov Steel Plant and continued the blockade.
The changes in the situation in the east of Ukraine made the Ukrainian government, which was once tough in the past, change its tune again, expressing its willingness to conduct unconditional negotiations with Russia in Mariupol.
But on the same day, U.S. President Biden announced an additional $800 million in military aid to Ukraine. The new round of aid will include providing Ukraine with heavy artillery, dozens of howitzers, 144,000 rounds of ammunition and tactical drones.
Some US media analysts said that this means that the Biden administration does not believe that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will end in the near future.
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia declares control of Mariupol Putin ordered to cancel attack on steel plant
On the 21st local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Defense Minister Shoigu. In response to the situation in Mariupol, Shoigu said that except for the Azov Steel Plant, Russia has controlled all other areas of the city.
On the same day, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov also said that Mariupol had been "liberated" by the Russian army.
However, Shoigu also introduced that since there are still more than 2,000 militants in the Azov Steel Plant, it will take about 3 to 4 days to complete the combat operations at the Azov Steel Plant.
In this regard, Putin ordered the cancellation of the plan to storm the Azov steel plant, which he said was to protect the lives of Russian military personnel.
Putin demanded that the Russian army continue to block the Azov steel plant and prevent any blocked armed personnel from escaping.
"There is no need to break into those catacombs," he said, only to block the Azov steel plant completely so that not a single "fly" can get out.
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed on the same day that most of Mariupol had fallen, but said that "there are still Ukrainian troops standing there".
As the situation changes, senior Ukrainian negotiators have previously proposed that they hope to hold "unconditional special talks" with Russia in Mariupol to withdraw troops and civilians.
Can't the conflict stop? U.S. announces another $800 million in military aid
After the Russian side released the news, the U.S. State Department responded on the same day that, according to its understanding, the Ukrainian army in Mariupol was still “holding their ground” and pointed out that Putin’s “liberation” of Mariupol was just Russia’s “old-fashioned tune.” False information on bombs".
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military aid to Ukraine as the Russian military tightened its grip on the strategic port city of Mariupol.
Data map: US President Biden.
Biden said the new round of U.S. aid would include heavy artillery, dozens of howitzers, 144,000 rounds of ammunition and tactical drones for Ukraine, bringing total U.S. military aid to well over $3 billion this year.
Biden also announced that it would ban Russian ships from entering U.S. ports; the U.S. Treasury Department announced the same day that it would provide the Ukrainian government with $500 million for wages, pensions and services.
He said the new aid package was aimed at helping the Ukrainian army cope with Russia's growing offensive in the east of the country.
"The United States and our allies and partners are moving as quickly as possible to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to defend their country."
Some US media analysts said that Biden asked Congress for more additional military assistance to Ukraine, which means that the Biden administration generally believes that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict will not end in the near future.