UN chief advocates better use of groundwater

The UN team continues to deliver aid in Ukraine

On its official Twitter account, the headline indicated that the United Nations, along with other humanitarian colleagues, had managed to reach more than 2.5 million Ukrainians with vital assistance.

But the only lasting solution to end the suffering is peace, the bloodshed and destruction must stop, he stressed.

The secretary-general sent letters to the missions of Russia and Ukraine in front of the multilateral organization, the office of his spokesman said yesterday, requesting a meeting with the rulers of those countries.

According to his spokesman’s office, the Portuguese diplomat asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him in Moscow and also asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet him in Kyiv.

The letters emphasize that at this moment of grave danger, Guterres wishes to discuss urgent measures to achieve peace in Ukraine and secure the future of multilateralism based on the United Nations Charter and international law.

Earlier this week, Guterres called for a four-day humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine to open safe corridors for aid entry and the evacuation of civilians.

That break was due to start today and last until April 24, which coincides with the Orthodox Christian Holy Week Day, the headline said, the press accredited to the United Nations.

Russians and Ukrainians must “silence the firearms and so open a path to safety for many people in immediate danger,” the Portuguese diplomat said.

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics asked for its help to ward off increasing aggression from Kyiv.

Previously, Moscow had recognized the independence and sovereignty of both territories and signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders, which included the establishment of diplomatic relations and military assistance.

jf/ifb