News & Events

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Russia’s war in Ukraine shows no sign of letting up. The past seven months have seen unspeakable suffering and devastation. The latest developments are dangerous and disturbing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists Wednesday to bolster his forces in Ukraine, a deeply unpopular move that sparked rare protests across the country and led to almost 1,200 arrests.

Four areas of Ukraine under Moscow’s control have announced plans for urgent so-called referendums on joining Russia, which would pave the way for Russian annexation. Russia’s invasion has stalled in recent months and Ukraine has recaptured swathes of territory in the north-east.

Any referendums on joining Russia in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories would destroy any remaining window for talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Ukrainian publication Liga.net cited the Ukrainian president’s office spokesman as saying on Tuesday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he believes Russia’s leader is seeking an end to the war he began in Ukraine, and that a “significant step” will be made. He said his impression from recent talks with Vladimir Putin was that he wanted to “end this as soon as possible”.

Western leaders have rejected plans by authorities in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine to hold referendums in the coming days on joining the territories to Russia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a diplomatic solution that gives Russia and Ukraine a “dignified way out” of the crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Friday to press his attack on Ukraine despite Ukraine’s latest counteroffensive and warned that Moscow could ramp up its strikes on the country’s vital infrastructure if Ukrainian forces target facilities in Russia.