UNITED NATIONS.- António Guterres, UN Secretary Generalstated this Tuesday before the Security Council that, four years after the start of the war in Ukraine, the human cost is “catastrophic” and called for “concrete measures” to deescalate violence.
The Undersecretary General for Political Affairs, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, read a message from Guterres in which he stressed that the conflict continues to have “cascading consequences” for what she described as “a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter.”
UN points out regional and global instability
The UN chief noted, in describing the impact of the four years of fighting, that:
“Lives destroyed. Devastated communities. And increasingly deep regional and global instability.”
Likewise, he insisted that “concrete measures are needed to de-escalate violence and open space for negotiation.”
Likewise, he explained that the human cost is “catastrophic,” given that more than 15,000 civilians have died since the beginning of the conflict and more than 41,000 have been injured.
Millions of people have also been forced to flee their homes or depend on humanitarian assistance to survive, the Portuguese diplomat added.
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Guterres highlighted that the last year was “the deadliest for the Ukrainian civilian population” since 2022.
He stated that the situation of children is “particularly alarming,” with more than 3,200 dead or injured.
Allegations of intensified bombings in Ukraine
Similarly, the Secretary General also denounced the intensification of bombings against civilian energy infrastructure during the winter.
As well as attacks that have left millions of people without electricityheating and water for long periods, even in kyiv.
The above in the midst of sub-zero temperatures that “turn access to basic services into a matter of survival.”
He also recognized that civilians in Russian territory are increasingly affected by actions attributed to Ukraine.
He recalled that the right international humanitarian prohibits unequivocally attacks against civilians. “I condemn all these attacks, wherever they occur,” he said.
Risk at Ukrainian nuclear facilities
Guterres also warned of the risks that the conflict poses to the security of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, calling the situation an “inconceivable game of nuclear roulette.”
Likewise, in the area of human rights, he noted that the Office of the High Commissioner has documented widespread violations.
Among those included “torture, sexual violence and executions of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, in a context of little accountability.”
UN Assembly condemns war in Ukraine
The General Assembly approved, this Tuesday morning, a resolution calling for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. As well as a lasting peace and the exchange of prisoners.
With 107 votes in favor, 51 abstentions and 12 votes againstthe green light for the resolution reflected broad international solidarity with Ukraine.
The above within the framework of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of its territory by Russia.
Finally, the General Assemblywhich does not have binding power but does have symbolic power, has expressed broad support for Ukraine on previous occasions.
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