WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the war there remained "as a stain on our collective conscience"
UN Secretary-General: Ukraine War Is a Stain on Our Collective Conscience
UN Security Council Remarks on the Ukraine War
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the war there remained "as a stain on our collective conscience" and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Mediation Efforts by the U.S. and Others
In remarks for a session of the United Nations Security Council to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, Guterres commended the efforts of the United States and others to end the war, but said concrete measures were needed to de-escalate and create space for diplomacy.
Referring to Russia's invasion, Guterres said: "We have witnessed the cascading consequences of this blatant violation of international law."
Children Among the Victims
Civilian Casualties and Injuries
He said more than 15,000 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war and over 41,000 hurt. Among those killed or hurt were 3,200 children.
Remarks Delivered by Rosemary DiCarlo
Guterres' remarks were read on his behalf by Rosemary DiCarlo, the U.N. under-secretary-general for peacebuilding.
Nuclear Facility Safety Risks
Guterres warned that the fighting posed direct risks to the safe and secure operation of Ukraine's nuclear sites, and added: "This unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately."
Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
Humanitarian Assistance and Funding
He urged U.N. member states to fully fund humanitarian assistance and said that any settlement to the war must uphold the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
"Enough with the death. Enough with the destruction. Enough with the broken lives and shattered futures," he added.
Demand for an Immediate, Unconditional Ceasefire
"It is time for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire – the first step toward a just peace that saves lives and ends the endless suffering."
(Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee and Matthew Lewis)
