Mariupol, the city of Ukraine long tormented and under siege by the Russians, becomes in these hours the real crossroads of the war and can, for better or for worse, mark a turning point: either the destruction and the prolongation of an endless conflict between Moscow and Kiev or the revival of the peace negotiation.
The Russians have warned the Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Mariupol, and first of all the famous or infamous Azov battalion, to surrender receiving, as was obvious, the categorical refusal. But the facts are pressing and, without a turning point, the tragedy is approaching.
Mariupol: Zelensky's two alternatives
This is why Ukrainian President Zelensky has presented Russian Tsar Vladimir Putin with two alternatives:
- if the Russians destroy Mariupol - said the leader of Kiev - there will no longer be any negotiations with Russia but only a endless conflict;
- if, on the other hand, Russia spares Mariupol, the Ukrainian troops and what remains of the battered city and frees the prisoners, then Ukraine is ready to take back the peace negotiation interrupted in Istanbul seeking an honorable compromise that could lead to the definitive recognition of Crimea to the Russians and some form of autonomy for Donbass.
The tug of war continues on Mariupol, but there is still some hope of getting out of the tunnel
It's hard to predict how it will end but we'll know soon. For now the tug of war between Russians and Ukrainians knows no respite. KIev calculates that in Mariupol they have already fallen 20 thousand Ukrainians and that the remaining soldiers and civilians be hidden in makeshift shelters. “There are several siege circles around Mariupol and the enemy forces – said Zelensky – are six times bigger than ours. Despite this, our soldiers defend themselves heroically even in the absence of food, water and medicine. We are grateful and negotiating plans and processes are developing. But, to be honest, we don't trust the Russian negotiators”, as evidenced by the failure of the humanitarian corridors. “Mariupol can be like ten Borodyankas and the destruction of our army and our boys can end the negotiations” and give rise to a long and interminable conflict between Russia and Ukraine as in Syria and Afghanistan. .
However, the last word has not yet been said and some faint hope of getting out of the tunnel and avoiding yet another tragedy remains even if it is difficult to be optimistic.
