The UN Secretary-General welcomed any ceasefire in Ukraine as it saves lives but emphasized the importance of a ceasefire leading to a just peace that respects the UN Charter, international law, and Security Council resolutions, particularly concerning Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

During his address in Brussels, the Secretary-General also commented on President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s declarations to extend the ceasefire to the Black Sea, a critical trade route for food and fertilizer exports.

The Secretary-General’s spokesperson highlighted that an agreement ensuring safe and free navigation in the Black Sea, with security guarantees and in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, would significantly contribute to global food security and the supply chains, supporting the trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Important Maritime Route

The UN has been committed to enabling safe Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, alongside the transportation of Russian food and fertilizer, aiming to curb rising food prices globally and prevent famine in vulnerable nations.

The UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative, established in Istanbul in July 2022, permitted over 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to exit Ukraine’s ports, playing a vital role in global food security, as stated by Mr. Guterres.

A supplementary agreement was made between the UN and Moscow for grain and fertilizer exports from Russia, formalized as a Memorandum of Understanding.

In July 2023, the UN Secretary-General expressed regret over Russia’s decision to pull out of the grain initiative and reiterated his commitment to the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, remaining engaged in the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation on global food security.