New York:At the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, 51 countries expressed solidarity with Ukraine and called on Russia to accept a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
In a joint statement, the countries said that Ukraine had agreed to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire since March 2025 and called on Russia to finally do the same as a necessary step toward meaningful diplomacy and negotiations for peace.
“Ukraine wants peace. We want peace,” the statement said, urging Russia to stop its aggression, accept a ceasefire and engage meaningfully in negotiations toward a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law.
The countries also stressed the imporance of protecting freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, commercial shipping and critical infrastructure, while highlighting the need to safeguard Ukrainian grain exports and global food security.
The joint statement further called for the immediate return of Ukrainian civilians who have been detained, forcibly transferred or deported, including children, as well as the return of prisoners of war and internees.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who delivered the statement on behalf of the participating countries, stressed that a Russian ceasefire would be an important step toward meaningful diplomacy and negotiations aimed at achieving peace.
Reported By: Mirza Maqbool Baig I New York
