Secretary-General Briefs Press on Russian Decision on Annexation of Ukrainian Territory

Secretary-General António Guterres (at right) briefs reporters on the decision of the Russian Federation on annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

"In this moment of peril, I must underscore my duty as Secretary-General to uphold the Charter of the United Nations. The UN Charter is clear. Any annexation of a State's territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Principles of the UN Charter and international law. [...] The position of the United Nations is unequivocal: we are fully committed to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions," said the Secretary-General.