The Secretary-General met today with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and Ukraine’s acting Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Andrii Deshchytsia. The Secretary-General expressed his increasing concern about developments in Ukraine, including his particular alarm at the rapidly evolving crisis in Crimea and reports of rising tensions in eastern Ukraine.

The Secretary-General underscored that he had intensified diplomatic efforts over the past days and weeks but that all parties must de-escalate the situation, tame the rhetoric and find a peaceful solution to the crisis. He urged the Prime Minister and acting Foreign Minister not to relent on their efforts to engage in direct dialogue with Russia and commended their restraint thus far during this difficult time in Ukraine’s history. He also stressed the need for the Prime Minister to govern Ukraine in a spirit of inclusivity and to promote a country of unity and opportunity for all, including minorities. 

The Secretary-General and his interlocutors also discussed the ongoing mission of Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonovic in Ukraine.

The Secretary-General underscored that the United Nations Charter has to be the guiding instrument for collective efforts toward a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine. The Charter’s principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes and full respect for human rights, must prevail.