United Nations (UN) secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Wednesday wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; to “discuss urgent steps to bring peace in Ukraine.”
According to the spokesperson for the secretary-general Stephane Dujarric; two separate letters were handed over to the Permanent Missions of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
“In these letters, the secretary-general asked President Vladimir Putin; to receive him in Moscow and President Volodymyr Zelensky to receive him in Kyiv.
The secretary-general said at this time of great peril and consequence; he would like to discuss urgent steps to bring about peace in Ukraine and the future of multilateralism based on the Charter of the United Nations and international law;” she said, as reported by news agency PTI.
While the Kremlin said it has passed on a draft document to Kyiv containing “absolutely clear; elaborate wording” of its demands as part of peace talks, the Ukraine finance minister said the country has ruled out any such possibility.
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Ukraine has borne the brunt of Russia’s attack ever since Putin launched a ‘military operation’ and the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
The war has now entered its 56th day on Wednesday, with thousands of people being killed; – the number is still not known. Over 5 million refugees have fled the war-torn country, according to the UN.
Meanwhile, Zelensky, during a joint press conference with visiting EU chief Charles Michel said Ukraine being a member of the European Union is a “priority”.
“Regarding our future membership in the EU; it is a priority for our state; for the strength of our people, those who are ready to defend our land against Russian invaders even without arms,” he said.
