Zelenskyy says Oleshky truce proves de-escalation is possible
The Ukrainian president met with Turkey's leader in Istanbul as the US reviewed proposals for a limited Black Sea ceasefire.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Residents of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region crossed into Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday. They stepped off buses at the border with Belarus to meet family members. Some evacuees wrapped in Ukrainian flags described the conditions they left behind as brutal. Valera, a 29-year-old former resident, said people cooked grass because they had nothing else to eat. He added that some residents ate dogs to survive.
The evacuation took place under a localized ceasefire brokered by the United States. The truce in the southern Kherson region is expected to continue until Sunday evening. Valera told Agence France-Presse that the rescue was a blessing. He described piles of bodies on the roads and many destroyed cars. He called the situation terrifying.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul to discuss the outcome. Zelenskyy said the humanitarian operation in Oleshky clearly demonstrates that de-escalation steps are possible. He argued that this happens when Russia is put in a position where it has to take steps toward de-escalation. Zelenskyy stated that strong decisions are needed to bring peace. He said Russia must be sent signals at every level that there is no alternative to peace.
Zelenskyy added that support for Ukraine will not diminish. He noted that this stance is important given the recent humanitarian operation. The two leaders discussed the prospects of holding trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US in early November. They also discussed ways to involve Turkey and all of Europe in the process.
Erdoğan said attacks aimed at civilian vessels in the Black Sea were unacceptable. He urged Russia and Ukraine to act responsibly. He said the two nations cannot accept these attacks under any circumstances, regardless of who carries them out or what justification is offered. Erdoğan added that talks aimed at restoring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea would continue. Zelenskyy accused Russia of making the situation in the Black Sea difficult.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there is growing interest in the international community in facilitating a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea. The goal is to ensure unfettered energy and grain shipments by Russia and Ukraine. Rubio said the US was reviewing proposals by Turkey and India to get grain shipments moving. The US continues to press for a broader negotiated settlement of the war.
Rubio noted there is growing interest in partial deals, such as halting attacks on ships carrying grain and energy. He said this is threatening the world for food security and some energy security as well. Rubio spoke to reporters in Atlanta after a two-day G20 foreign ministers’ meeting. The meeting involved Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov despite objections from European and Canadian leaders.
Ukrainian forces hit a major missile fuel producer in Russia’s Rostov region on Saturday. The Ukrainian general staff said the attack caused a fire and damaged four production facilities. The overnight strike targeted Kombinat Kamensky, a Russian state-owned chemical and defence enterprise in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. The attack involved both Ukrainian drones and the Neptune coastal missile system.
