United Nations published this video item, entitled “Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (26 April 2022)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Russia
– Ukraine/Humanitarian
– Pakistan
– Mali
– Western Sahara
– Syria
– Comoros
– Sand
– International Days
– Holocaust
– Financial Contribution
– Briefing Tomorrow
RUSSIA
The Secretary-General met today in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin and, earlier, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The meeting with President Putin is just about to wrap up, right now.
Speaking to the press after meeting with the Foreign Minister, the Secretary-General reiterated his deep conviction that the sooner we end this war, the better – for the people of Ukraine, for the people of the Russian Federation, and those far beyond.
He warned that today, across the Donbas, a violent battle is underway with tremendous death and destruction. He expressed his concern about the repeated reports of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and possible war crimes, which require independent investigation for effective accountability.
Mr. Guterres said that we urgently need humanitarian corridors that are truly safe and effective and that are respected by all to evacuate civilians and deliver much-needed assistance. To that end, he has proposed the establishment of a Humanitarian Contact Group, bringing together the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United Nations, to look for opportunities for the opening of safe corridors, with local cessations of hostilities, and to guarantee that they are actually effective.
The Secretary-General said that the United Nations is ready to fully mobilize its human and logistical resources to help save lives in Mariupol.
He said his proposal is for a coordinated work of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Ukrainian and Russian Federation forces to enable the safe evacuation of those civilians who want to leave, both inside the Azovstal plant and in the city, in any direction they choose, and to deliver the humanitarian aid required.
UKRAINE/HUMANITARIAN
Also on Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues continued to receive reports of damage to houses and other critical civilian infrastructure due to intense shelling and fighting reported over the last couple of days in southern and central regions of the country, including Odeska, Poltavska, Vinnytska and Zaporizka oblasts. The intensification of hostilities in Donetska, Luhanska and Kharkivska oblasts is also reportedly impacting civilians and creating further obstacles for humanitarian operations.
We, along with our humanitarian partners in Ukraine, continue to call on the parties to enable their life-saving work, by guaranteeing the safe passage of aid workers and supplies to areas impacted by fighting.
PAKISTAN
On Pakistan, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Julien Harneis, strongly condemned today’s attack in Karachi University and is deeply saddened by the resulting loss of life.
He said attacks that deliberately target education, teachers, and places of learning are particularly condemnable and sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, both in Pakistan and in China.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=26%20April%202022
United Nations YouTube Channel
Got a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.