“We have witnessed the increasingly terrible consequences of this flagrant violation of international law,” Guterres noted, whose speech was read by his deputy for peacebuilding, Rosemary DiCarlo.
Guterres emphasized that more than 15,000 people have died since the beginning of the war. civilians, and over 41 thousand was injured. The dead included 3,200 children.
The UN chief praised the efforts of the United States and other countries to end the war, but noted that steps were necessary that would open up the field for diplomacy.
He warned that the fighting posed a direct threat to the security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities and said: “This unscrupulous game of nuclear roulette must end immediately.”
He called on UN countries to finance humanitarian aid and stressed that the resolution of the conflict must confirm Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
“Enough of death. Enough of destruction. Enough of broken lives and shattered futures. It's time for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire – the first step towards a just peace that saves lives and ends endless suffering,” he declared.
