According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a “working visit” to the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov on Saturday March 18.
It is Putin’s first trip to Russian-occupied territories since the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
According to information from the Kremlin press service, released on the night of March 19, the Russian leader arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and familiarized himself with the situation in the destroyed city and the course of reconstruction, having made a trip driving a car. Also, it is reported that Putin spoke with the residents of the city.
On Saturday, Putin also visited the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
In 2022, Mariupol was first besieged by Russian troops, and in May it was completely controlled. The city was largely destroyed during the fighting.
Meanwhile, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that he would comply with the International Criminal Court’s request for Putin’s arrest if he ends up in Germany.
“Germany is obliged to detain Putin if he enters its territory and hand him over to the ICC,” the German minister said.
According to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, all countries subject to its jurisdiction, including Germany, must act in accordance with the ICC decision.
Source: delfi
