Russia gives Ukraine until 5 am on Monday to surrender the besieged city of Mariupol

Russia has given Ukraine until the early hours of March 21 to surrender the besieged city of Mariupol, according to a Russian state news agency.

Ukraine has however rejected the Russian demand to surrender  the embattled southern port city, and an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces are using “more destructive artillery.” More talks on ending the war are expected on Monday after Turkey said the two sides had made progress on key points.

Russian Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defence Control Centre, has told his counterparts they have until 5 am Moscow time (2 am GMT) to respond to his ultimatum, RIA reports.

Colonel-General Mizintsev urged Ukrainian forces in Mariupol: “Lay down your arms.

“A terrible humanitarian catastrophe has developed. All who lay down their arms are guaranteed safe passage out of Mariupol.”

According to RIA, Colonel-General Mizintsez has also called on the civilians of Mariupol to decide where their allegiances lie.