GENEVA, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, on Tuesday called for an "immediate full and unconditional ceasefire" in Ukraine stressing that "any future peace agreement must be firmly grounded in the UN Charter international law and General Assembly resolutions." She was speaking to journalists in Geneva on the fourth anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis during a press briefing held on the sidelines of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Baerbock underscored that any settlement must guarantee "respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine" describing this as "the only path to a comprehensive just and lasting peace." For his part the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Matthias Schmale warned that "The war in Ukraine continues to inflict immeasurable human suffering".
He noted that an estimated 10.8 million people almost a quarter of the Ukrainian population remain in need of humanitarian assistance including up to one million people in territories under Russian control.
Schmale also noted that 2025 has been the "deadliest year for civilians" since the start of the war adding that at least 2500 civilians were killed and more than 12000 injured last year a more than 30 percent increase compared with 2024.
He also warned of the widespread contamination of landmines with nearly a quarter of Ukraine's territory potentially affected. "Ukraine is among the most mined countries in the world" he said.
He also warned about the systematic attacks on energy infrastructure have compounded the crisis stressing that "This kind of weaponization of energy must stop".
He explained that a new joint assessment by the Ukrainian government the World Bank and the European Union estimates reconstruction needs USD 590 billion over the next decade roughly three times Ukraine's GDP last year.
The Regional Director for Europe at UNHCR Philippe Leclerc also highlighted the ongoing displacement crisis noting that 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees remain abroad including 5.7 million in Europe where EU member states continue to provide temporary protection.
He added that more than 60 percent of Ukrainian refugees surveyed say they intend to return home when conditions permit.
Leclerc warned that the most vulnerable will require sustained support even after peace is achieved particularly given the growing mental health toll and social strains caused by prolonged war. (end) imk.aai