UN chief asks for separate meetings with Russian, Ukrainian leaders

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked the leaders of Russia and Ukraine for separate meetings in a bid to end the ongoing war, his spokesman said Wednesday.

At a news conference, Stephane Dujarric said letters were handed to the permanent missions of Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon.

"In these letters, the Secretary-General asked (Russian) President Vladimir Putin to receive him in Moscow and (Ukrainian) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive him in Kyiv," said Dujarric.

"The Secretary-General said, at this time of great peril and consequence, he would like to discuss urgent steps to bring about peace in Ukraine and the future of multilateralism based on the Charter of the United Nations and international law," he said.

Guterres noted that Ukraine and Russia are founding members of the UN and "have always been strong supporters of this Organization," added Dujarric.

Since the war began Feb. 24, the civilian death toll in Ukraine has climbed to 2,104, while 2,862 others have been injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much higher.

More than 5 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7 million more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.