The UN Security Council issued a brief statement expressing "deep concern over maintaining peace and security in Ukraine." This was the institution's first official response since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports Radio Svoboda.
The text proposed by the representatives of Norway and Mexico and adopted on May 6 does not mention the words "war," "conflict," or "invasion." Many members of the Security Council call russia's military action a "special military operation," as does Moscow itself.
"The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine... The Security Council recalls that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means," says the statement.
The Security Council also expressed "strong support" for the efforts of the secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, in the search for a peaceful solution and requested the UN chief to brief the Council on the situation "in due course."
On April 26, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution requiring permanent members of the Security Council to justify the right of veto.
On February 26, Russia voted against a UN resolution condemning its invasion of Ukraine. Eleven members of the Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, one against Russia, and China, India and the UAE abstained.