The Security Council has agreed on a joint position for the first time more than two months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
(Photo: IMAGO/Xinhua)
new York The members of the UN Security Council have backed mediation efforts by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Ukraine. A statement, also adopted by Russia on Friday, speaks of “strong support” for Guterres’ efforts to find a peaceful solution to the “dispute” in Ukraine. The short text does not mention the terms “war”, “invasion”, “conflict” or the Russian terminology “special military operation”. It is the first statement by the highest UN body on the war in Ukraine since the Russian invasion on February 24.
Guterres referred to this in a reaction to the statement: “Today, for the first time, the Security Council spoke with one voice for peace in Ukraine.” As he has said many times, the world must come together to silence the guns and the Uphold the values of the UN Charter.
The text, drafted by Norway and Mexico, “expresses deep concern for the preservation of peace and security in Ukraine” and “recalls that all member states have committed themselves under the Charter of the United Nations to resolve international disputes through peaceful means.”
Norway’s UN Ambassador Mona Juul and her Mexican counterpart Juan Ramon De La Fuente Ramirez said the statement would mark diplomatic steps to end the war. “Millions of Ukrainians are in dire need of humanitarian protection and assistance,” Juul said. “It is important that the Secretary-General has the full support of the Security Council for his commitment to a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine.” De La Fuente Ramirez said the unanimous adoption of the declaration shows the Security Council’s support for the United Nations and its Secretary General agreed to find a diplomatic solution. It shows at least “a will” to continue the Secretary-General’s efforts.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Guterres has received approval from the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, for the evacuation of civilians, mainly from the besieged southeastern port city of Mariupol.
The UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross have so far carried out two successful evacuations from and around Mariupol. According to Russian information, 50 civilians were also evacuated from the last Ukrainian bastion in Mariupol, the Asovstal steel plant, on Friday, including eleven children. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk confirmed the evacuation of 50 civilians. Both sides said the evacuation of civilians from Asovstal should continue on Saturday.
More: May 9 is approaching – what options does Putin still have?