New York: Even as representatives of Ukraine and Russia were engaged in peace talks at Belarus, the United Nations (UN) on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire by all parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Addressing UNGA’s 11th Emergency Special Session on the ongoing crisis, UN Secretary General António Guterres stressed the need for exercising maximum restraint and initiating dialogue.
“Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail. Escalating violence is resulting in civilians’ death. Enough is enough. Soldiers need to move back to barracks. Civilians must be protected,” Guterres said.
The session got underway with a minute’s silence for those killed in the war.
“Humanitarian aid is vital, it’s not a solution, the only solution is through peace… I have assured the Ukraine President that UN will continue to assist, will not abandon them, will provide them with humanitarian assistance,” Guterres further said.
Ukraine’s representative to the UN said 352 people, including 16 children, have been killed in his country so far, adding that the numbers are ‘growing nonstop as shelling continues.’
“We demand Russia unconditionally withdraws its forces and full compliance with international humanitarian law,” he said, adding Russian troops were also suffering and had already lost over a thousand of its troops.
