Deputy Foreign Minister's UN Visit
During a working visit to UN Headquarters in New York, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, Maryana Betsa, held a series of meetings with international partners to advance a UN General Assembly resolution. The resolution aims to support a sustainable peace for Ukraine, focusing on settlement efforts, the frontline situation, the return of abducted children, and international backing. The visit coincided with the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, underscoring the urgency of the diplomatic push.
Meetings and Discussions
Maryana Betsa met with UK Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty. Their discussions centered on the current situation in Ukraine after four years of Russian aggression, exploring pathways to a peaceful settlement and potential ceasefire arrangements. A key focus was the urgent issue of returning Ukrainian children unlawfully taken by Russia.
Betsa also held a joint briefing for EU delegations and representatives from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Attendees included officials from Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Brazil, as well as deputy permanent representatives from Kuwait, Ghana, Egypt, Somalia, and Indonesia. The briefings covered:
- Russia's ongoing mass attacks on Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure;
- War crimes committed by the aggressor state;
- Enhancing comprehensive support for Ukraine;
- Maintaining pressure on Russia.
The Deputy Minister also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo. These talks addressed the ongoing Russian aggression and its impact on civilians, alongside possibilities for continued UN support for Ukraine.
A critical topic was protecting Ukrainian children from the consequences of Russian aggression. Betsa held talks with UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba. They discussed the return of children who have been abducted and illegally displaced by Russia, within the framework of a UN General Assembly resolution that defines the Special Representative's leading role. Participants outlined further practical steps involving other relevant UN bodies.
Betsa extended an invitation for Virginia Gamba to visit Ukraine to assess the situation firsthand. Concluding the meetings, António Guterres emphasized that any peaceful resolution must be based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the UN Charter. This diplomatic effort highlights Ukraine's strategy of building a broad international coalition, recognizing that global support is vital not only for military defense but for addressing profound humanitarian crises like the deportation of children.