UN chief laments 'sad and tragic' six-month Ukraine war milestone
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the six-month anniversary of the start of Russia's war in Ukraine a "sad and tragic milestone."
Guterres made the comments during a special meeting of the UN Security Council in New York to mark the anniversary of Russia's invasion of its neighbour on February 24.
The UN chief described the six months of conflict as "devastating."
"The consequences of this senseless war are being felt far beyond Ukraine," said Guterres, referring to its impact on food and fuel prices.
"If we don't stabilise the fertiliser market in 2022, there simply will not be enough food in 2023," the secretary-general warned.
Guterres said he remained "gravely concerned" about military activity around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest atomic power plant.
"The warning lights are flashing," he said.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, objected to Zelensky being allowed to speak.
The 15-member council voted 13 to one in favour of allowing Zelensky to speak, with China abstaining.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the meeting via video-link, told the UN that Russia "should unconditionally stop nuclear blackmail" and "completely withdraw" from the plant.
"Europe and neighbouring regions face the threat of radiation pollution. This is a fact," Zelensky, told the session, which had been requested by the United States, France and Britain.
