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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on Russia, Ukraine and the West to reduce tensions, saying “there is no alternative but diplomacy.”
“The price of human suffering, destruction and damage to European and global security is too high to imagine,” he said, referring to the possibility of a Russian attack on Ukraine, which the West says could begin to on Wednesday.
“We simply cannot accept the possibility of such a devastating confrontation,” he said at UN headquarters.
He vowed to continue the engagement with all parties, also offering his office premises to help find a solution.
Mr Guterres spoke to reporters after returning from a working luncheon organized every month for the 15 members of the Security Council. Russia holds the rotating presidency of the council this month and hosted lunch at its UN mission.
Earlier Monday, Mr Guterres held a virtual meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for about 20 minutes. He also spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Mr Guterres did not provide details of the talks, but welcomed diplomatic contacts, including at the level of heads of state. He warned, however, that provocative rhetoric does not help.
“Public statements should aim to reduce tensions, not escalate them,” he said.
He also cited the UN Charter, underlining the call on member states to resolve disputes peacefully and not to threaten or use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of a state, or in any other way that is inconsistent with the objectives of the United Nations.
“Leaving diplomacy to conflict is not just like crossing a (red) line, but it is like jumping off a mountain,” Guterres warned. “So my appeal is this: Do not abandon the cause of peace.”
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