Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Russia's war against Ukraine continues without visible prospects for a quick end. According to him, now it is necessary to achieve an immediate ceasefire, which should be the first step towards a just and lasting peace.
Guterres stated this on September 16 at a press conference in New York ahead of the high-level events of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The UN chief included the war in Ukraine among the largest conflicts that continue to threaten international peace and security. He noted that hostilities continue and there are no grounds to expect their rapid end.
Guterres emphasized that the United Nations advocates for a ceasefire not as a final settlement, but as a first stage of a political process.
According to the Secretary-General, a cessation of hostilities should be followed by achieving a "just, comprehensive and sustainable peace" based on the UN Charter, international law and relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.
Such an approach implies respect for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Earlier, Guterres repeatedly stated that Russia's full-scale invasion is a violation of the UN Charter and international law.
The call for a ceasefire is consistent with the position the UN Secretary-General has held in recent months. On February 24, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, he called for an "immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire" as a first step towards a peaceful settlement.
In early September, the UN also positively assessed new diplomatic contacts regarding Ukraine. The Secretary-General's office stated that they expect the resumption of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and continue to consider a full and unconditional ceasefire as their near-term goal.
At the same time, the UN continues to draw attention to the consequences of the war for the civilian population. In February, Guterres noted that 2025 has been the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022. According to the data he cited at the time, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 15,000 civilian deaths and over 41,000 wounded have been confirmed.
Guterres' statement came ahead of the UN's main annual diplomatic forum in New York. The general debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly will take place from September 22 to 28. Heads of state and government, ministers and other high-level representatives of member states will participate.
The theme of the current session is determined to be restoring trust and enhancing the effectiveness of the UN amid wars, humanitarian crises, geopolitical tensions and other global challenges. In addition to Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan, issues of nuclear security, climate and international cooperation are expected to be in the focus of discussions.
Guterres himself is to speak at the beginning of the general debate and present a report on the work of the UN. The organization states its readiness to support diplomatic efforts that can lead to the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and subsequent peaceful settlement.
Based on materials from: UN News, UN Web TV, United Nations
