Martin Griffiths, United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Aid Coordinator, stated that he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about establishing a “humanitarian contact group” that will include Ukraine and Russia.
Noting that such a group can meet “to discuss humanitarian issues with virtual or face-to-face meetings whenever necessary by the UN,” Griffiths stated that a possible group may be responsible for the ceasefire surveillance, safe passage, escape corridors and similar issues. Stating that Turkey is also making efforts to rescue approximately 800 people in the port city of Mariupol, which is currently under Russian blockade, Griffiths emphasized that he will go to Turkey within a week to discuss the “humanitarian contact group” issue.
However, shortly after Martin Griffiths’ statement, it was announced that the trip in question was postponed to an indefinite date, after the test was positive for the coronavirus. Griffiths and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres held a phone call with President Erdogan on Sunday and exchanged views on the “humanitarian contact group” initiative.
Importance of Odessa Port
These contacts of Martin Griffiths, who visited Moscow and Kiev at the beginning of April and attempted a ceasefire in order to pave the way for humanitarian aid, could not reach a positive result. Expressing that Ukraine accepted the UN’s recommendations, Griffiths announced that for Moscow, “regional ceasefires are not on the agenda at the moment”.
Griffiths also stated that keeping the Odessa Port open is of “great importance” and stressed that Odessa hosts very large grain silos and that this city is a “lifeblood” for countries whose food supply has been interrupted by the war.
AFP / ET,EC