Guterres Warns of ‘Wider War’ As Ukraine Conflict Intensifies
KABUL (BNA) Antonio Guterres the United Nations Secretary-General warned the world that it may be heading towards a “wider war” as the risk of a further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict rises.
In a speech to the 193-member UN General Assembly on Monday presenting his 2023 priorities, Guterres decried the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying the war was “inflicting untold suffering on the Ukrainian people with profound global implications”.
“The prospects for peace keep diminishing,” he said. “The chances of further escalation and bloodshed keep growing.
“I fear the world is not sleepwalking into a wider war. I fear it is doing so with its eyes wide open.”
The nearly year-long conflict has been intensifying in recent weeks with fierce battles between Ukrainian and Russian forces for control of towns in eastern Ukraine.
Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year after Moscow amassed troops near the Ukrainian border and Putin demanded an end to NATO expansion into former Soviet republics.
Moscow’s military campaign has suffered numerous setbacks as Western powers provide financial and military support to Kyiv.
Russian officials have argued that sending arms to Ukraine is prolonging and intensifying the conflict.
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Source: Bakhtar News Agency