Russia doesn't agree to any option of Ukrainian soldiers' evacuation from Mariupol - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an appeal to the Parliament of Malta.

"Our defenders remain in Mariupol. They continue resistance at the Azovstal plant. We use all available diplomatic tools to organize the rescue for them. But Russia still doesn't consent to any of the many options proposed," said Zelensky.

Ukraine requested the partners and the necessary weapons to de-blockade Mariupol and rescue military and civilians. But there are still no weapons to de-blockade Mariupol.

"What does it mean? You can completely understand this, just remembering the significance of British Spitfires in Maltese sky in spring 1942," he said.

He said the UK and the US fulfilled the mission that changed the course of the Siege of Malta and helped destroy the aggressor's ambition to capture the island.

"And now we need a similar mission from our partners. To destroy the aggressor's ambition to capture Ukraine and other European countries. We need planes, helicopters, artillery and other special weapons," he said.

There is no doubt that Russia knows about what is happening in Mariupol, because the Russian army was ordered to destroy the city and kill more people.

He emphasized that the Nazis made a hell in Mariupol.

"They blocked it from land and sea. Constantly bombarded. They destroyed more than 90% of all buildings. Before the war, by the way, there were 500,000 residents in the city. They made a man-made famine there. The Russian army has blocked the delivery of any products, drinking water and medicine," said Zelensky.