Official announcements from the Ukrainian government

Zelensky Rejects UN Chief's Visit After Guterres Meets Putin at BRICS Summit in Russia

Oct 25, 2024, 12:54 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a proposed visit by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to Ukraine following Guterres' attendance at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. During the summit, Guterres called for a "just peace" in Ukraine and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Ukrainian authorities expressed outrage over the UN chief's participation, viewing his engagement with Putin and Lukashenko as legitimizing leaders they consider responsible for international war crimes. They also noted that Guterres declined an invitation to Ukraine's Global Peace Summit in Switzerland while accepting Russia's invitation. Zelensky emphasized the importance of upholding the goals and principles of the UN Charter, criticizing the UN leader's actions amidst ongoing tensions due to the invasion of Ukraine.