Russia-Ukraine crisis: Sergey Lavrov claims UN chief Guterres subject to Western pressure

On February 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared to be under Western pressure over situation in Ukraine, Sputnik reported. Lavrov me remarks since he believes Guterres' statements do t correspond to his position and authority under UN Charter.

"To our greatest regret, UN secretary general, whom you represent, has been subject to pressure from West and has recently me several statements about what is happening in eastern Ukraine that are t corresponding to his status and his authority under UN charter," Lavrov told UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Moscow, according to Sputnik.

It is worth ting that, on February 22, Guterres stated that Russia's recognition of breakaway people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk was a violation of Minsk Agreements and a "death blow" to Minsk Agreements. According to Lavrov, Guterres never mentioned situation in Ukraine or implementation of Minsk agreements.

In each crisis, including Ukrainian one, UN secretary should strive for neutrality, Sergey Lavrov emphasised. Russian Permanent Representative to United Nations in New York, Vasily Nebenzya, has alrey briefed Guterres on Moscow's evaluation of his words, according to Lavrov. UN Envoy Pedersen was also asked by Russian minister to personally deliver Russian assessment to UN chief.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Despite allegations that Russian forces are moving closer to Ukraine's borders, President Vlimir Putin has stated that Russia's interests and security are n-negotiable. Putin sent a video mess just hours after US President Joe Biden warned of beginning of a Russian invasion. Putin stated that Russia was always willing to communicate openly and honestly.

West, on or hand, has issued a series of sanctions against Russian interests. "We've cut off Russia's government from Western financing," Biden said after Russia's upper house of Parliament authorised President to send forces into two regions of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

Vlimir Putin on February 21 declared Russia's recognition of so-called "people's republics" of Luhansk and Donetsk, reportedly sending Russian troops into areas and tearing up peace deal with Ukraine. Despite Putin's assurances that he was still open to talks, France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken both cancelled meetings with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

(With inputs from ncies, Im: AP)