UN Secretary General Requests Meeting with Ukrainian and Russian Leaders

UN Secretary General Requests Meeting with Ukrainian and Russian Leaders
Photo by sftrajan on Flickr

21-04-2022

Manon Picard

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has requested separate meetings with the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia. In particular, Mr. Guterres asked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with him in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and asked President Vladimir Putin to meet with him in Moscow, the capital of Russia. 

Stéphane Dujarric, the United Nations’ spokesperson, stated that the requests had been communicated to the countries’ UN Missions in New York. Mr. Dujarric noted that Ukraine and Russia have always been supportive of the United Nations as founding members. Moreover, the United Nations’ spokesperson stated that: 

“The Secretary-General said, at this time of great peril and consequence, he would like to discuss urgent steps to bring about peace in Ukraine and the future of multilateralism based on the Charter of the United Nations and international law”.

This statement comes days after António Guterres’ call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and intensifying of the Russian offensive. In addition to the 12 million Ukrainians who were forced to flee their country or are currently internally displaced, those who have stayed behind no longer have access to electricity and water. With the 136 attacks on health care facilities, Ukrainian citizens are unable to obtain the medical assistance they need. Mr. Awad, the UN Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine, recently stated that:

“the immediate impact of this senseless war is the gravest here in Ukraine but it could have global ramifications, putting 1.7 billion people worldwide at risk of poverty, hunger and destitution”. 

Although more action is needed and further humanitarian aid is necessary, the United Nations, amongst other international actors and States, has tried to incentivize a peaceful settlement of this conflict. This has been proved by António Guterres’ request to meet with the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia as well as his call for a ceasefire. 

Sources and further reading:

United Nations. (2022, April 20). Guterres Requests Meetings with Russian and Ukrainian Presidents. UN News. Retrieved on April 21, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1116562