World faces ‘moment of danger’ over Ukraine crisis – UN chief warns

At the opening of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday (23), UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world was facing a “moment of danger” over the crisis in Ukraine.

According to Guterres, “Russia’s decision to recognize the so-called ‘independence’ of the Donetsk and Lukansk regions – and subsequent actions – violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and does not comply with the principles of the UN Charter.”

Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba insisted that Ukraine was not a threat to Russia.

“Ukraine never planned and did not plan any military action in the Donbass,” he said, referring to Russia’s allegations of Kiev’s military operations in the eastern region, where these pro – Russian separatist enclaves are located.

Guleba urged the UN to take “firm and swift action” to stop the military expansion provoked by the advance of Russian troops.

“The beginning of a full-scale war in Ukraine will be the end of the world order, we know,” Guleba warned. He insisted: “We want peace!”

The General Assembly, attended by all 193 UN members, is the annual session to discuss the “temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” held since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Several ministers are scheduled to speak at the all-day meeting on Wednesday.

Guterres, who had not originally planned to attend, decided to do so after rushing to New York and canceling a trip to Africa.