New York (UN). February 23. INTERFAX - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Ukrainian crisis called for restraint and de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, and also said that Russia's recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR contradicts the principles of the UN Charter.
"Now it's time to show restraint, use reason, de-escalation is needed. There is no room for statements and actions that will lead this dangerous situation to the abyss. It's time to establish a truce, return to the path of dialogue and negotiations in order to save people in Ukraine and beyond from the scourge of war," he said.
The UN Secretary General also stated that Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, in his opinion, contradicts the principles of the UN Charter.
"The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the so-called independence of Donetsk and Luhansk regions violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and goes against the principles of the UN Charter," Guterres said.
He noted that because of the crisis around Ukraine, the world is experiencing a dangerous moment, calling it the largest crisis of peace and security in recent years.