UN head: War in Ukraine to Continue, No Wars for Peace in the Near Future

Speaking to reporters during his year-on-year conference in New York, Guterres said he would not give up until the achievement of peace in Ukraine in line with international law and the UN Charter, referring to the key UN Charter principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said he was not optimistic about the possibility of effective peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in the near future.

I believe the military confrontation will continue”, He said.

However, he said he strongly hoped that peace could be achieved in 2023, citing the consequences for the people of Ukraine, Russian society, and the global economy if an agreement is not reached.

All these are reasons for us to do everything possible for a peaceful solution to happen before the end of 2023x1>He added.

Meanwhile, he said he would focus on increasing the efficiency of a UN-brokered agreement that resumed shipments of Ukraine's food and waste to the Black Sea, continue to try to resume the export of Russian ammonia via Ukraine and seek to speed up the exchange of war prisoners.