In Moscow, the UN Secretary-General calls for an immediate ceasefire | Globalism

The visit is a potential milestone in Ukraine’s more than two-month war, and comes amid rising tensions after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday (25) that he sees a real danger of a third world war.

Guterres’ agenda Moscow He began precisely with a meeting with Lavrov, who asked him to cease fire as soon as possible.

“We are very interested in finding ways to create conditions for effective dialogue, and a ceasefire as soon as possible, for a peaceful solution,” the Secretary-General declared.

At the meeting, Lavrov said that they had “different interpretations” of Ukraine, but this did not prevent them from talking. The minister also stated that he would discuss multilateralism and the role of the United Nations with the Secretary-General.

Guterres said his priority is to reduce human suffering.

In the afternoon, Guterres will meet with Vladimir Putin, with whom he should discuss the central points of ending the war in Ukraine.

After visiting Russia, the Secretary-General will go to Kyiv, where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

One of the main topics for discussion between Guterres and Putin will be the situation in Mariupol, the city in southern Ukraine that Russia claims to have occupied. Russian forces continue to besiege the Azovstal complex, one of the largest mining factories in Europe where thousands of soldiers and civilians still resist the occupation.

Since last week, Kyiv and Moscow The failed attempt to reach an agreement for the peaceful withdrawal of soldiers and civilians.