Four years after Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the ongoing war as “a stain on our collective conscience” and once again called for an immediate ceasefire.
During a session of the United Nations Security Council marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Mr Guterres acknowledged the efforts of the United States and others to bring the war to an end, but stressed that decisive actions were required to de-escalate the conflict and open the door for diplomacy, reports RTE.
In his comments, Mr Guterres referred to Russia’s actions as a “blatant violation of international law,” emphasizing the severe consequences of the invasion.
He stated that over 15,000 civilians had died since the conflict began, and more than 41,000 had been injured, including 3,200 children.
His remarks were read out by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding, as Mr Guterres was not present.
Mr Guterres also highlighted the threat to Ukraine’s nuclear sites due to ongoing fighting and warned, “This unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately,” reports RTE.
He urged the United Nations member states to fully fund humanitarian aid and reiterated that any peace agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
“Enough with the death, enough with the destruction, enough with the broken lives and shattered futures,” he declared.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
He called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire as a crucial first step towards a just peace that would save lives and end the suffering.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the European Union to set a timeline for Ukraine’s accession and to implement the EU’s €90 billion loan package for Kyiv.
Speaking to the European Parliament on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Mr Zelensky emphasized that failing to set a date for Ukraine’s EU membership would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep Ukraine at bay for decades by sowing division in Europe, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky also outlined Ukraine’s priorities as it entered the fifth year of war, including the need for clear security guarantees and stronger sanctions on Russian oil exports. He also called for sanctions against other senior Russian officials involved in the war.
The Ukrainian president stressed that the threat from Russia had not diminished, saying, “We also need the full range of security guarantees for Ukraine if it becomes the target of a new Russian war.”
His comments indirectly referred to the yet-to-be-defined promise of a post-war US security guarantee for Ukraine, but he refrained from criticizing Washington. Instead, he underscored the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties.
On the issue of sanctions, Mr Zelensky argued that “there must be no place in the free world for Russian oil.”
He also criticized President Putin’s long tenure, calling him a leader who embodies war itself, noting his involvement in conflicts in Chechnya, Georgia, and Ukraine, as well as Russia’s role in Syria, which he linked to Europe’s migrant crisis.
“In many ways, this is also what caused the waves of migrants to Europe,” he said.
This remark seemed aimed at far-right members of the European Parliament who have opposed military support for Ukraine from the beginning of the invasion.
Mr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament with a largely supportive audience, urging MEPs to back Ukraine’s “diplomacy for peace.” However, it is the Trump administration he must persuade to ensure that Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts are not sidelined as the war continues.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
