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The UN chief welcomed on Friday afternoon, the unity of the Security Council in support of peace in Ukraine, while also assuring that he would continue to “spare no effort” in saving lives, reducing suffering and finding the path of peace.
“As I have often said, the world must come together to silence the guns and uphold the values of the UN Charter,” Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement.
“For the first time, the Security Council spoke with one voice for peace in Ukraine”.
Last week the UN chief flew to Europe where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.
His diplomacy paved the way for joint UN-Red Cross humanitarian missions, which have so far evacuated about 500 civilians from Mariupol and the beleaguer steel plant in Azovstal.
Council issuance
He was referring to the presidential statement on Ukraine released minutes earlier by the Security Council.
“The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine,” said the Council President for the month of May, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, on behalf of the Ambassadors.
“The Security Council recalls that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means,” the communication continued.
It went on to express “strong support” for the Secretary-General’s efforts to find a peaceful solution.
“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council in due course after the adoption of the present statement,” concluded the statement.
The adopted text was drafted by Norway and Mexico.
How we got here
Since Russia launched what it called a "special military operation" on 24 April, a draft Security Council resolution that would have deplored Moscow's invasion was never adopted.
However, shortly thereafter, the 193-member General Assembly did adopt two non-binding resolutions, deploring Russia's “aggression against Ukraine.”
It also condemned Russia for creating a "dire" humanitarian situation and demanded that its troops “immediately, completely and unconditionally” withdraw and that there be aid access and civilian protection.
In a statement issued today (06 May), the Security Council expressed deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in New York, Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul said, “it is important that the UN Secretary-General has the full backing of the Security Council for his effort towards a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine,” adding that the UN family and international and national partners are doing “heroic effort to support the Ukrainian people.”
Mexican Ambassador Juan Ramón de la Fuente also told reporters, “the adoption of the PRST today shows that the Security Council is united in supporting the United Nations and its Secretary-General in finding a diplomatic solution.”
He said that both Mexico and Norway continue to call for “an immediate cessation of hostilities, preventive diplomacy and mediation have been at the top of Norway's and Mexico's cross cutting priorities in our work at the United Nations.”
In a Statement, the Security Council recalled that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
The Security Council expressed strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General in the search for a peaceful solution.
The Security Council requested the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council in due course after the adoption of the present statement.
In a statement also issued today by the Secretary-General, he said, “today, for the first time, the Security Council spoke with one voice for peace in Ukraine. As I have often said, the world must come together to silence the guns and uphold the values of the UN Charter. I welcome this support and will continue to spare no effort to save lives, reduce suffering and find the path of peace.”
