In Europe, Top UN Officials Press For Diplomatic Solution to Ukraine Crisis
New York, Mar 4 2014 - As the situation in Ukraine remains in flux, senior United Nations officials in the region and
elsewhere in Europe continue to push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today
stressing the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace.
Mr. Ban, who is on an official visit to Geneva, met today with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Foreign Minister of Germany.
According to the UN chief’s spokesman, the two officials discussed the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine and facilitate dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
This meeting, in which the Secretary-General and the German Minister agreed that all diplomatic channels must be more
actively pursued, follows talks yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which Mr. Ban reiterated
that “it is critical to ensure full respect for – and the preservation of – Ukraine’s independence, unity, sovereignty
and territorial integrity.”
After months of political unrest, triggered by the Government’s decision last November not to sign an agreement on
broader integration with the European Union (EU), Ukraine’s capital, Kiev erupted in violent demonstrations in recent
weeks, culminating with the removal by Parliament of President Viktor Yanukovych. Tensions have been mounting in recent
days in the Crimea region, where additional Russian troops and armoured vehicles have reportedly been deployed.
The fluid situation led the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on Saturday, at which the 15-member body was
briefed by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who said key sites in Crimea such as airports, communications and
public buildings, including the regional parliament, reportedly continue to be blocked by unidentified armed men. There
are further reports of armed personnel taking control of regional administration buildings in several cities in the East
and South of Ukraine.
At the request of the Secretary-General, Mr. Eliasson travelled on Sunday to Ukraine to assess the situation on the
ground. Today, according to a UN spokesperson, he met with the acting President, Prime Minister and acting Foreign
Minister.
In his meetings, Mr. Eliasson stressed the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace. He also
reiterated the Secretary-General's call that Ukraine's territorial integrity should be respected and preserved. Mr.
Eliasson also held meetings with diplomatic representatives in Kiev. The Deputy Secretary-General will continue his
mission in Ukraine tomorrow.
As part of the mission, Mr. Eliasson has asked UN Special Advisor Robert Serry, who has been in the region since last
week, to travel to crisis-gripped Crimea in order to take stock of and evaluate the situation there. Mr. Serry is now
departing Kiev and should arrive shortly in Crimea, the spokesperson added.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS