New Delhi: The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the Ukraine war to be stopped for the sake of people across the world. Guterres’ views were in consonance with many other members of the UN, including China, the US, Ireland, France, and Mexico. Guterres told the Ambassadors of these countries on Thursday that the Russian invasion is a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and it should end for the sake of the “entire world.”
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of its territorial integrity and of the Charter of the United Nations,” he said.
He further added, “It must end for the sake of the people of Ukraine, Russia, and the entire world…the cycle of death, destruction, dislocation, and disruption must stop.”
Guterres’ statements come after his recent visit to Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate the evacuation of people from the port city of Mariupol which has been facing the brunt of the war for weeks now.
He also talked about the “dire plight of civilians” in the devastated city of Mariupol.
“In my meeting with President Putin, I, therefore, stressed the imperative of enabling humanitarian access and evacuations from besieged areas, including first and foremost, Mariupol,” he said adding “We must continue to do all we can to get people out of these hellscapes.”
According to a press release by the UN, Guterres also talked about the humanitarian cooperation in action led by the UN and the Red Cross.
“It began on 29 April and has required enormous coordination and advocacy with the Russian Federation and Ukrainian authorities. So far, two safe passage convoys have been successfully completed,” he said.
Guterres went on to talk about the food security situation that has risen in Ukraine due to the war.
“A meaningful solution to global food insecurity requires reintegrating Ukraine’s agricultural production and the food and fertilizer production of Russia and Belarus into world markets, despite the war,” he underscored.