UN Secretary General not optimistic about short-term progress in peace process in Ukraine
UN Secretary General António Guterres does not see prospects for short-term progress in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
He made the remarks to journalists ahead of the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, according to a Ukrinform correspondent in New York.
“I am not optimistic about short-term progress in the peace process in Ukraine,” he said, adding: “Our position is very clear – we need an immediate ceasefire, but the ceasefire that leads to a solution based on the UN Charter, international law, and resolutions of the General Assembly.”
Guterres emphasized that “the positions of both sides now are largely incompatible,” and since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Kremlin “has resisted strongly to the idea of a ceasefire, saying that a global agreement is necessary, and we all know how difficult it is to achieve.”
“So, I am afraid we might witness this war to go on, at least for some time, and to go on now with violence which is particularly dramatic, because it is having huge impact on civilians, which is absolutely regrettable,” the Secretary General added.
When asked what specifically makes him pessimistic, Guterres said, “I am not optimistic in the short term because I see that the positions of the two sides are very different, very different.” He stressed that “Ukraine has a legitimate interest to preserve its territorial integrity, and it is clear that Russia is determined to do something that would mean the occupation of large parts of Ukraine.”
Guterres noted that the high-level week of the General Assembly, which will see nearly 150 heads of state and government at UN headquarters, will be an “important opportunity” to discuss all conflicts in the world. He expects meetings with delegations from Ukraine as well as from the Russian Federation.
Journalists also asked about the Secretary-General’s view on the possibility of US President Donald Trump being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“That is a question to ask to some people in Norway that deal with this issue,” he replied.
As reported by Ukrinform, about a hundred presidents and more than 40 prime ministers are expected to gather in September for the high-level week of the 80th General Assembly, which will run from September 23 to 29.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formed a delegation for Ukraine’s participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Andrii Melnyk, serving as his deputy.