The United Nations Security Council failed to take enough action to “prevent and end” Russia’s war on Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday while visiting Kyiv.
“Let me be very clear: the Security Council failed to do everything in its power to prevent and end this war. And this is the source of great disappointment, frustration and anger,” Guterres said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Guterres visited towns around the Ukrainian capital ravaged by Russian atrocities against civilians.
“Ukraine is an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. I witnessed that very vividly today around Kyiv. The senseless loss of life, the massive destruction, the unacceptable violations of human rights and the laws of war. It is vital that the International Criminal Court and other UN mechanisms conduct their work so that there can be real accountability,” he said.
He added: “The position of the United Nations is clear: as I said in Moscow, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a violation of its territorial integrity and of the Charter of the United Nations. And I'm here to focus on ways on how the UN can expand support for the people of Ukraine, saving lives, reducing suffering and helping find the path of peace.”
Guterres was in Moscow a few days ago where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the de-escalations of tensions and the cessation of hostilities in the war on Ukraine.
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