UN Security Council makes first statement on Ukraine ‘dispute’ – but doesn’t call it a war
- Russia had blocked all previous attempts to adopt a presidential statement, but the latest text expressing support for the UN chief’s peace efforts was adopted
- The council has been strongly criticised since Moscow’s invasion for its paralysis and inaction
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted its first statement on Ukraine since Russia’s military action began on February 24, expressing “strong support” for Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to find a peaceful solution to the 10-week “dispute”.
The short presidential statement approved at a very brief council meeting Friday does not mention a “war”, “conflict” or “invasion”, as many council members call Russia’s ongoing military action, or a “special military operation” as Moscow refers to it.
That is because Russia, which hold veto power in the council, has blocked all previous attempts to adopt a presidential statement which requires unanimity or a resolution.
Instead, the statement “expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine” and “recalls that all member states have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means”.
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“The Security Council expresses strong support for the efforts of the secretary general in the search for a peaceful solution,” the statement says, and requests Guterres to brief members “in due course”.