Press encounter upon arrival at Boryspil Airport, (unofficial transcript)

I'll take a couple of questions.

Q: [translated from Ukrainian] What is your assessment of Ukraine's intention to join NATO?

SG: I think there's a development in Europe where the continent is coming together. And I think it is important that Ukraine is making these attempts to get closer to the rest of Europe.

And I think today all European Union [countries] are striving to share common values, values of democracy, values of human rights and governance based on the rule of law. And Ukraine is becoming an important part of that movement, and I'm pleased about that.

Q: Yesterday, you ordered the families of your staff to leave India and Pakistan. I wonder what the UN is doing today to defuse the situation and if you plan on discussing a role for Russia in your meetings with President Putin?

SG: Yes, I am very concerned about developments in the region between India and Pakistan. And I am in touch with the leadership of both countries and with other leaders around the world. And we are all doing our utmost to deescalate tensions in the region. And I look forward to discussing the situation with President Putin, who would be coming from Almaty where I hope he'll be able to speak to both leaders of India and Pakistan.

I'm confident that both he and President Xiang Zemin, who would also be at the meeting in Almaty, will both do their utmost to talk to the leaders in an effort to dissuade them from any further escalation.

The instructions for non-essential UN staff, to leave Pakistan and India should be seen as a precautionary measure and not as an indication that war is imminent. I hope we will be able to avoid that. And indeed, we should do everything to avoid a war in that region. Thank you very much. *****