The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Secretary-General and the Minister discussed latest developments in Ukraine. The Secretary-General stressed the need to urgently de-escalate the current tension and facilitate dialogue for a peaceful resolution, and pledged the United Nations' support in this regard.

The Secretary-General and the Minister also discussed the situation in Lebanon, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the Secretary-General's forthcoming visit to Sierra Leone to celebrate the successful closing of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the country.