UN secretary-general: Just peace in Ukraine must fully protect territorial integrity

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that any just peace for Ukraine must guarantee the country's territorial integrity.

Source: Guterres in a comment to Ukrinform

Details: Guterres highlighted that over the past four years, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, which violated international law, particularly the UN Charter, Ukraine has suffered devastating losses and displacement, attacks on civilians and critical energy infrastructure and serious human rights violations, including those affecting children.

Guterres noted that UN personnel have remained in Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance wherever it was needed, particularly in frontline areas.

He recalled his visits to Ukraine, where he had witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by the war.

Guterres also welcomed all efforts aimed at achieving a just and inclusive peace.

He emphasised that a just peace in Ukraine must fully ensure the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in accordance with the UN Charter, international law and the relevant UN resolutions.

Background: Guterres said earlier that the principle of self-determination does not apply to Crimea and Donbas and that Ukraine's territorial integrity takes precedence, amid reports that Russia had asked the United Nations to consider "self-determination" for these territories.

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