Ukraine can develop ‘maximum speed’ in joining the EU, Zelenskiy says – as it happened

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Ukraine's deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk has announced on Telegram that a humanitarian corridor has been agreed to evacuate women, children and the elderly from the besieged southern port city of Mariupol. She posted:

Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Mariupol, it is in this direction that we will focus our efforts today. We managed to agree in advance on a humanitarian corridor for women, children and the elderly.

Due to the very difficult security situation, changes may occur during the corridor. So, please follow the relevant official announcements. We will do our best to make everything work properly.

Do not believe in any words from Russia. It would be good if they allowed civilians to leave the Azovstal, but they didn't allow this for 50 days, why should they allow this now?