New Delhi: For a second consecutive day, Russia has declared a ceasefire in Ukraine and is ready to provide humanitarian corridors. According to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, it has declared a ceasefire from 12:30 pm IST and has agreed to the evacuation of civilians from five cities in Ukraine.
Russia has agreed to provide humanitarian corridors in five cities Kyiv, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov, Mariupol.
Raising concerns over the deepening crisis in Ukraine, India said to the Security Council on Tuesday that the ensuing humanitarian crisis deserves immediate and urgent attention.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti reiterated the urgent demand for the safe and uninterrupted passage for all civilians, including Indian nationals stranded in the crisis-laden country.
He also said that India is "deeply concerned that despite our repeated urgings" to both Russia and Ukraine the "safe corridor for our students stranded in Sumy did not materialise."
Russia's declaration of a ceasefire in Sumy comes as a sigh of relief as around 700 Indian nationals are stuck in the city and are waiting for a safe passage to return to their homes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the leadership of both sides on Monday and reiterated India's call for an immediate ceasefire and the need for both parties to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
In thirteen days, three rounds of talks have already taken place, but no sign of resolution or improvement in the on-ground situation can be witnessed.