Kyiv says combat mission at steel plant complete

KYIV/NOVOAZOVSK－Ukraine's military said on Tuesday that it was working to evacuate all remaining troops from their last stronghold in the besieged port of Mariupol.

The evacuation of hundreds of fighters, many wounded, to Russian-held towns, likely marked the end of the longest and bloodiest battle during the conflict, Reuters reported.

"The 'Mariupol' garrison has fulfilled its combat mission," said the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces in a statement.

"The supreme military command ordered the commanders of the units stationed at Azovstal to save the lives of the personnel. … Defenders of Mariupol are the heroes of our time."

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said 53 injured troops from the steelworks were taken to a hospital in the Russian-controlled town of Novoazovsk, some 32 kilometers to the east, while another 211 people were taken to the town of Olenivka in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

All of the evacuees will be subject to a potential prisoner exchange with Russia, she added.

About 600 troops were believed to have been inside the plant. Ukraine's military said efforts were underway to evacuate those still inside.

Russia's Defense Ministry said 265 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered at the steel plant.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had personally guaranteed the prisoners would be treated according to international standards.

Away from the battlefield, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi discussed Ukraine's European integration aspirations on Monday, said the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

At their talks in Brussels, Kuleba and Varhelyi discussed the prospect of granting Ukraine the European Union candidate status, said the ministry in a statement.

On Feb 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had given the EU membership questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv in April. The first part of the document was submitted to the EU on April 18, while the second part was submitted on May 9.

The EU is set to consider Ukraine's candidate status next month, according to news reports.

Mounting resistance

In the United States, signs of Republican resistance are mounting over a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine.

The Senate voted late on Monday to advance the Ukraine aid bill 81-11, pushing it toward US President Joe Biden's desk by week's end to become law. But more vocal objections from Republicans in Congress are sending warning signs after what has been rare and united support for Ukraine. All 11 no votes came from Republican senators.

The shift in Congress opens a new political phase in Ukraine's fight for its survival against Russia's special military operation, offering a wakeup call for the Biden administration about its strategy.

Agencies - Xinhua