BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The left in the Bundestag sees the rescue of Ukrainian soldiers from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol as a possible step towards a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. “This clearly shows that diplomacy can make a difference,” said parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch on Tuesday in Berlin.
Russia is obliged to treat the captured soldiers well. “If an exchange of prisoners were then to take place, that would be an important step and perhaps a sign of hope that a ceasefire would be reached as soon as possible,” said Bartsch. “A ceasefire is so urgently needed.”
The left-wing politician emphasized that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was right to warn of a possible escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. He supports Scholz’s “course of restraint” on arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Around 260 Ukrainians surrendered to Russian troops on Monday after weeks of fighting for the Azovstal steelworks. They were brought from the besieged area to Russian-controlled areas. Efforts to rescue the last remaining Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol are continuing, according to information from Kiev./vsr/DP/stw