United Nations: The UN Security Council has expressed deep concern" over the "maintenance of peace and security" of Ukraine and backed efforts by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to find a peaceful solution, issuing a unanimous statement on the conflict for the first time since the February 24 invasion by Russia. The 15-nation Council, under the current monthly Presidency of the US, unanimously adopted a very brief Presidential Statement on Ukraine Friday. In the statement, the Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
The Presidential Statement does not use the terms war or conflict for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, only recalling that all member states have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means. The Security Council also expressed strong support for the efforts of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the search for a peaceful solution. Guterres had briefed the Council on Thursday on his recent visit to Russia and Ukraine, where he had met with President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 26 and 28.
Throughout my travels, I did not mince words. I said the same thing in Moscow as I did in Kyiv...Namely that: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a violation of its territorial integrity and of the Charter of the United Nations. It must end for the sake of the people of Ukraine, Russia, and the entire world, Guterres had said. Guterres welcomed the unanimous adoption of the Presidential Statement, saying today, for the first time, the Security Council spoke with one voice for peace in Ukraine. As I have often said, the world must come together to silence the guns and uphold the values of the UN Charter. I welcome this support and will continue to spare no effort to save lives, reduce suffering and find the path of peace.
The Security Council requested the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council in due course after the adoption of the present statement. Speaking to reporters after the adoption of the Presidential Statement, Permanent Representative of Norway Ambassador Mona Juul, joined by Permanent Representative of Mexico Ambassador Juan Ramon de la Fuente Ramirez, said that their two countries initiated the Presidential Statement. It is important that the UN Secretary-General has the full backing of the Security Council for his effort towards a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine. The UN family and international and national partners are doing heroic effort to support the Ukrainian people.