Ukraine war 'stain on our collective conscience,' UN chief declares
2026-02-24 - 23:42
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark moral condemnation of the war in Ukraine Tuesday, describing it as "a stain on our collective conscience" four years after Russia's full-scale invasion began. In remarks delivered to the Security Council by political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo, Guterres painted a devastating picture of human suffering and international failure to end the fighting. Catastrophic Human Toll "The human toll is catastrophic," Guterres stated, noting that 2025 proved the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022 despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. More than 15,000 civilians have been killed and over 41,000 injured since the war's escalation, with millions displaced and requiring life-saving assistance. The impact on children has been particularly severe, with over 3,200 killed or injured, more than one-third displaced, and an estimated 2.2 million requiring humanitarian aid. Condemnation of Attacks and Nuclear Risks Guterres condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure as clear violations of international humanitarian law, stressing that such actions "are strictly prohibited" regardless of where they occur. He issued an urgent warning about threats to Ukraine's nuclear facilities, declaring that "this unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately." The statement reflects growing international alarm over potential nuclear incidents as fighting continues near atomic installations. Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Action The UN chief welcomed ongoing prisoner exchanges while urging humane treatment and release of detainees in accordance with international law. He specifically called for the return of Ukrainian children transferred to Russia or occupied territories. "It is time for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire—the first step toward a just peace that saves lives and ends the endless suffering," Guterres declared, framing humanitarian imperatives as inseparable from the search for a political solution to Europe's largest conflict since World War II.