“We have a moment ahead of us that I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t come,” he told the media on Tuesday, adding “we have to pass this test.”
Concerned by recent events in Ukraine, Guterres highlighted reports of increased ceasefire violations across the hotline and “a real risk of further escalation in the field.”
The Secretary-General again criticized Russia’s decision to recognize the “independence” of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
“I want to make it clear: the decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the so-called ‘independence’ of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” said a senior UN official.
According to Guterres, such a unilateral measure is not only in direct conflict with the principles of the UN Charter, but is also contrary to the so-called with the Declaration of Friendship.
At this critical juncture, the UN chief demanded an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of the rule of law.
“It is high time to return to the path of dialogue and negotiation. We must gather and face this challenge together for peace and to save the people of Ukraine and beyond from the scourge of war,” Guterres said.
Ukraine’s National Security Council has decided to declare a state of emergency throughout the country
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has decided to declare a state of emergency for the whole country except Donetsk and Luhansk regions, NSDC Secretary Oleksi Danilov said Wednesday.
“The issue of declaring a state of emergency was discussed … The decision was made. According to our legislation, the Verkhovna Rada must approve this decision within 48 minutes … The state of emergency will be introduced throughout Ukraine, except in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” Danilov told reporters.
Measures will be tightened or relaxed depending on the situation across the country, he said, noting that the emergency is scheduled to be declared for 30 days and could be extended for up to 60 days.
Following the declaration of the state of emergency, the authorities do not intend to confiscate the registered weapons from the population, the NSDC leader added.
Source: ANI / Sputnik
Source: The Nordic Page