UN Chief Denounces Absurd War in Ukraine

UN chief António Guterres has sharply criticized Russia’s attack on Ukraine during a visit to Borodjanka, northwest of Kyiv.

“A war in the 21st century is an absurdity; no war is acceptable in the 21st century,” the secretary-general said in one of the places where Ukrainians accuse the Russians of war crimes during their occupation.

Guterres, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday for his first visit to Ukraine since the conflict began, spoke as he watched ruined houses. “I picture my family in one of these houses. I see my granddaughters running in panic.”

Guterres also visits Irpin and Butsha, also places where the Ukrainian population has suffered from Russian aggression. He then meets with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmitro Koeleba.

The UN chief was in Moscow earlier this week to meet with President Vladimir Putin. He is trying to find a path to peace and to promote humanitarian support and evacuations of civilians, in particular from Mariupol.