UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM GUTTERES; ADDS COMMENTS FROM CONFERENCE CHAIR ISCHINGER
By Peter Kenny
GENEVA (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for a de-escalation in Europe, saying a military conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be “catastrophic.”
“There is no alternative to diplomacy, it’s high time to seriously de-escalate the situation at the Ukrainian border,” Guterres told the opening session of the three-day Munich Security Conference in Germany.
“With a concentration of Russian forces around the Ukraine, I am deeply concerned about heightened tensions and increased speculation about a military conflict in Europe,” he said.
Russia’s tensions with the West are running high over allegations it has deployed more than 100,000 troops on Ukrainian border.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said that it has no plans to invade Ukraine, and has demanded assurances from the West that NATO does not accept Ukraine into the alliance.
The US and its allies have also questioned recent Russian claims that some troops have been withdrawn from the border.
The UN chief said during Cold War there were backchannels to prevent a crisis, but "many of those systems no longer exist today ... therefore, miscommunication and miscalculation can make a minor incident between powers escalate out of control."
He cited the UN Charter, which says that all UN members shall refrain from using strength or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
“All members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered,” he added.
“And I also urge all parties to be extremely careful with their rhetoric. Public statements should aim to reduce tensions, not to inflame them.”
Guterres said the UN and the UN system remain fully operational in Ukraine.
German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, who chaired the conference for the last time, welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I am very sorry to see that the Russian government decided not to make use of the opportunity to explain the Russian position in this hall,” said Ischinger.
Citing data from the recently published Munich Security Report, he said: “Many feel helpless in the face of global events, and don't believe that their political leaders can actually have a grip on the challenges facing us."
The UN should continue to be the centerpiece of the international system, he said, adding: “And it is of enormous importance, for us if we think about how best to promote global solutions and to meet global challenges.”