Marking 1 year of war in Ukraine, UN chief denounces Russia
- Antonio Guterres slammed Moscow’s invasion as a violation of the UN Charter and called out Russian threats about possible use of nuclear weapons
- The UN General Assembly is meeting to discuss a resolution on reaching a ‘just and lasting peace’ in Ukraine
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a violation of the founding UN Charter and international law and called out Russian threats about possible use of nuclear weapons.
Since Moscow invaded its neighbour on February 24 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly hinted that Russia could use a nuclear weapon if threatened.
“We have heard implicit threats to use nuclear weapons. The so-called tactical use of nuclear weapons is utterly unacceptable. It is high time to step back from the brink,” Guterres told the 193-member UN General Assembly at a meeting to mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
The General Assembly is set to adopt a draft resolution – probably on Thursday – stressing “the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in line with the UN Charter.
Guterres described the UN Charter as “unambiguous”, citing: “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”
Ukraine and its supporters hope to deepen Russia’s diplomatic isolation by seeking yes votes from nearly three-quarters of the General Assembly to match – if not better – the support received for several resolutions last year.
