New York (UN). February 18. INTERFAX - It is necessary to avoid further escalation of tension in the situation around Ukraine, the representative of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.
"The signal to both local and world leaders is this: it is necessary to achieve de-escalation and avoid actions that may contribute to an even higher risk," Dujarric said at a briefing. According to him, in particular, provocative rhetoric should be avoided.
He added that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is in contact with all parties making efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Dujarric stressed the importance of striving for diplomacy.
"It is obvious that it is necessary to use existing diplomatic structures, such as the Normandy format and the Minsk process," the representative of the UN Secretary General said.
According to him, diplomacy is the only way to resolve all disturbing topics in the security sphere.
Earlier on Friday, Guterres said he believes that there will be no war between Russia and Ukraine.
"Given the concentration of Russian forces around Ukraine, I am deeply concerned about the growing tensions and rumors about the risk of a military conflict in Europe. I still believe that this (military conflict - IF) will not happen," Guterres said at the Munich Security Conference.
According to him, if a military conflict does occur, it will be a "disaster".
At the same time, he urged the parties to refrain from aggressive rhetoric, which, according to the UN Secretary General, only increases tensions.
Guterres also said that the UN continues to work in full on the territory of Ukraine.
