UN Secretary-General calls for immediate de-escalation in Ukraine conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for immediate and sustained de-escalation in the Ukraine conflict on Thursday (28 May), speaking at a UN Security Council meeting following Russia’s large-scale weekend attacks across Ukrainian regions. He warned the conflict’s trajectory risks becoming uncontrollable, with potential for miscalculation and escalation leading to unknown consequences. ‘Let us speak frankly. The current path is unsustainable. This direction must change. This death spiral must be stopped,’ he said.

Since the conflict began in February 2022, over 15,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, including nearly 800 children, with reports indicating rising casualties. The frontlines are effectively paralysed by large-scale drone attacks causing significant casualties, while civilian infrastructure, particularly energy systems, has been destroyed on a massive scale, Guterres noted.

‘What is needed now is immediate and sustained de-escalation, a full and unconditional ceasefire, increased diplomacy, and the creation of conditions for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter, international law, and UN resolutions. The choice is clear, the responsibility is clear, and the time for peace is now,’ he said.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated on Sunday (24 May) that its military launched missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian military targets in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian sites.