Ted Hesson, Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Accounts that thousands of people in Ukraine’s besieged port of Mariupol were forcibly expelled to Russia are disturbing and unconscionable, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday.

Thomas Greenfield, speaking on CNN’s State of the Union said the United States hadn’t yet confirmed the Saturday allegations by the Mariupol council through its Telegram channel.

“I have only heard about it.” She said that she couldn’t confirm the information. But I do know it’s disturbing. Russia cannot force Ukrainian citizens into Russia. They should put them in concentration or prisoner camps.

According to U.N. Human Rights office, Russia invaded Ukraine in large numbers on February 24, sparking conflict that resulted in more than 1,500 civilian deaths and over 900 injuries.

Mariupol was a vital link to the Black Sea. It has been an object since the outbreak of war. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a “special army operation” to “denazify and demilitarize Ukraine. The West and Ukraine claim that Putin started an unprovoked conflict of interest.

Mariupol also stated Saturday that Russian forces attacked an art school in which 400 residents sought refuge, although the actual number of casualties remains unknown.

Reuters couldn’t independently verify claims of the city council. Russia denies targeting civilians.

Washington, Russian Embassy didn’t immediately reply to my request.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, called for peace negotiations with Moscow on Saturday

Thomas-Greenfield stated on Sunday that the United States supported those efforts, and said that Russia has not responded to negotiations.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that Poland will submit an official proposal to a peace-keeping force in Ukraine during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s next summit.

Thomas-Greenfield, when asked about the Polish proposal reiterated President Joe Biden’s promise to not send U.S. soldiers into Ukraine.

“Other NATO members may decide to place troops in Ukraine,” she stated. They will have to decide.

Turkey also tries to broker a ceasefire for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Turkey’s efforts during a Sunday interview on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Stoltenberg reported that Turkey was making an effort to help facilitate and support the talks between Russia’s Ukraine. It’s too soon to know if these talks will lead to any tangible outcome.

NATO rejected Ukrainian requests to create a “nofly zone” in Ukraine, earlier this month. This was to assist Ukraine with its defense against Russian bombers and planes.

Stoltenberg was asked Sunday if a no-fly area would be approved if Russia used chemical weaponry in Ukraine. He expressed concerns about the possibility of an escalated conflict.

“Our allies are supporting Ukraine,” he stated. It is vital we stop this conflict becoming a full-fledged War between NATO and Russia. This will do more harm, more death, and more destruction than the one we have seen in Ukraine.