A+ A-

UN chief: no signs of end to Russia-Ukraine conflict

NEW YORK, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that Russia's military opreration in Ukraine shows no sign of abating, pointing to Moscow's announcement of partial military mobilisation last night.
In his speech during a Security Council session on the matter, Guterres said he was deeply concerned about planned Russian-backed referendums, which aim to grant autonomy to eastern regions within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders.
He described these developments as very dangerous and worrying, saying that both countries are further away from any possibility for peace and are instead heading towards continuing terror and bloodshed.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat of the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation to the West, Guterres added that the notion of a nuclear conflict is totally unacceptable and a violation of the United Nations charter and international law.
Nuclear-armed states must recommit to the non-use and complete disposal of nuclear weapons, he underlined.
Separately, he described yesterday's prisoner exchange between both sides as a "welcome development." (end) asf.sd