Russia-Ukraine crisis: Addressing the 11th emergency special session on the ongoing conflict, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is a need to exercise maximum restraint and initiate dialogue.
28 FEBRUARY: The United Nations on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire from all parties involved in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was a need to exercise maximum restraint and resume dialogue. “The diplomacy and dialogue must continue,” he told the 11th emergency special session on the current crisis.
“Increasing violence is resulting in civilian deaths. enough is enough. Citizens must be protected, the soldiers should go back to their barracks. ,” Guterres said. The 11th emergency special session began with a minute’s silence.
“It is not a solution, only solution is through peace, humanitarian aid is very important… I have assured the President of Ukraine that the United Nations will continue to assist, not abandon them, will provide humanitarian aid to them.”, Guterres said.
A meeting between representatives of Kyiv and Moscow was underway in the Belarusian city of Gomel, while heavy fighting continued in the cities and suburbs of Ukraine. Kyiv had earlier called for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ and the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory ahead of talks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said at least 44 people were wounded in fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, and seven of them died in hospitals.
While there is abundant evidence of shelling of residential buildings, schools and hospitals, the Russian military has consistently denied targeting residential areas.