United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about escalating tensions in Ukraine and rising speculation about a military conflict. Thus, he urged world leaders to intensify diplomacy to calm the situation. He explained that the UN cannot accept the possibility of a terrible confrontation.
“The price in human suffering, destruction, and damage to European and global security is too high to contemplate. We simply cannot accept even the possibility of such a disastrous confrontation.
“There is no alternative to diplomacy. All issues, including the most intractable, can and must be addressed and resolved through diplomatic frameworks. It is my firm belief that this principle will prevail,” added Guterres.
He will remain fully involved in the time and days to come. He added that, as secretary-general, it was his duty to appeal for full respect for the UN Charter, the cornerstone of international law. Guterres welcomed recent diplomatic relations and engagement, including between heads of state, but said more needs to be done.
“I have made my good offices available and we will leave no stone unturned in the search for a peaceful solution. Abandoning diplomacy for confrontation is not a step over a line, it is a dive over a cliff,” he said. “In short, my appeal is this: do not fail the cause of peace,” he said.
Earlier, Russia suggested it was prepared to continue talks with the West in an attempt to defuse the security crisis, while the United States said Moscow was increasing its military capabilities. Meanwhile, the UN has no plans to evacuate its staff from Ukraine, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday.
Sources: Business Standard, NDTV