United Nations/New York (The Times Groupe)- The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday voiced support for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to broker peace for the first time since Russia began its war two months ago.
In a statement, the council expressed “deep concern regarding the security and stability of Ukraine,” and reaffirmed “that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.”
The Security Council expressed strong support for the Secretary-General’s efforts to find a peaceful solution in a statement. “The Security Council requests that the Secretary-General brief the Council in due course after the adoption of the present statement.”
The joint statement comes on the sixth day of the US’s month-long presidency of the council. It’s not clear whether it will herald a greater consensus within the body, which has been deeply fractured since the Kremlin launched its war on Feb. 26.
In February, Russia vetoed a draft resolution that demanded Moscow end its assault immediately and withdraw all forces. Eleven of the chamber’s 15 members supported the text.
For his part, Guterres noted the significance of the council’s unanimity, emphasizing “the world must come together to silence the guns and uphold the values of the UN Charter.”
“I appreciate this support and will spare no effort to save lives, reduce suffering and find a path to peace,” he said in a separate statement.
UN estimates that 3,309 civilians have been killed and 3,493 injured since Russia launched a war on Ukraine on Feb. 24. Experts believe the real toll is likely to be much higher.
According to UNHCR data, more than 5.7 million people have fled to other countries, with 7.7 million internally displaced.