Any negotiations with Russia impossible if 'trial' of Ukrainians goes ahead in Mariupol, says President Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening video address that if the occupiers do organize a "trial" of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Mariupol, it will be "the line beyond which any negotiations will become impossible."

According to him, there are now enough reports in the mass media that in Mariupol they are preparing the scenery for the "trial" of the Ukrainian military, who are captives of the occupiers. The head of state said that Ukraine's reaction will be understandable despite any plans of the Russians.

"If this despicable court takes place, if our people are brought into these settings in violation of all agreements and international rules... This will be the line along which any negotiations are impossible. Russia will cut itself off from the negotiations. There will be no more conversations. Our state has made everything clear," he said.

Background

The Mariupol City Council reported on August 6 on the Russians' plans to execute the Ukrainian defenders at the local philharmonic hall.

After that, the relatives of the defenders of Azovstal also appealed to the UN and the ICRC to prevent the "tribunal" over Azov fighters. The Defense Forces of Ukraine and a number of Ukrainian authorities turned to Western countries and international organizations: they called on the world to prevent the so-called "trial" in Mariupol.

The plans of the occupiers to conduct a "trial" of the captured defenders of Azovstal in the temporarily captured Mariupol were also reported by Ukrainian intelligence. According to one of the scenarios, the occupiers may also launch a rocket attack on the place of their detention.

An explosion occurred in the colony in the village of Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian prisoners are held, on July 29, leaving scores of dead and wounded. Russian propagandists blamed Ukraine for the attack, but experts call this version of events a fabrication.

Ukrainian intelligence said that the explosions in Olenivka were carried out by mercenaries of the Wagner Group PMC, allegedly on the personal command of the nominal owner Yevgeny Prigozhin. According to intelligence, the organization and implementation of the explosion was not coordinated with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.