Guterres begins round of talks with Zelensky to achieve “just peace”
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Wednesday to “find a solution” that allows the ultimate objective of a “just peace” to be achieved. What first of all in statements to the press.
“The sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be maintained within internationally recognized boundaries,” Guterres said at the start of the meeting.
“Our ultimate goal is equally clear: peace based on the United Nations Charter, international law and the most recent General Assembly resolution a year after the war began,” he said.
Guterres pointed out that until it is possible to achieve this goal, the United Nations will continue its efforts to reduce the impact of the conflict on the Ukrainian population and globally. In this sense, the Portuguese diplomat recalled that the initiative of the Ukrainian grain corridor through the Black Sea has already made it possible to transport 23 million tons of grain, reducing the global price of food and providing “significant relief” to those Provided that “they also pay a high price for war” in other world regions, he insisted.
Guterres, who made his third trip to Kiev since the war began on Tuesday to prolong the grain deal, among other issues, has indicated that Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer exports are “essential” to food security . global.
“I would like to underline the critical importance of expanding the Black Sea Grain Initiative on 18 March and working to create conditions that would allow the greatest possible use of the export infrastructure in the Black Sea in line with the objectives of the initiative are,” he said.
In addition, he recalled that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been “mobilised” to protect the safety of nuclear power plants in Ukraine, including Zaporizhia, the largest in Europe.
The UN Secretary-General has stated that, in his opinion, it is possible to mediate for the complete demilitarization of the area and the return of the plant to its normal operation and offered the UN for this role.
Zelensky, for his part, has published photos of the UN Secretary-General’s reception on his Telegram channel. “It is very important that we talk in Kiev about restoring peace, international security and the full force of the UN Charter, which are equally important to all countries on the planet,” he said. (if)
In a photo by Sergei Supinsky for AFP, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (left) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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