Ukraine: Ceasefire a critical first step on the road to durable peace

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The UN political affairs chief underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire in Ukraine in a briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday. 

Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo addressed ambassadors alongside UN deputy relief chief, Joyce Msuya, who updated on the dire humanitarian situation in the country amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Ms. DiCarlo said the meeting was taking place at a potential inflection point in the three-year war, as the past few weeks have seen intensified shuttle diplomacy towards a possible peace deal. 

‘Glimmer of hope’

“These initiatives offer a glimmer of hope for progress towards a ceasefire and an eventual peaceful settlement,” she said.

“At the same time, we continue to witness relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.”

Russian forces have carried out recent deadly strikes, such as the massive, combined missile and drone attack last week on several regions, including the capital Kyiv.  

Multiple residential buildings in the city were hit. At least 12 people were reported killed and more than 70 others injured, including children, making it the deadliest attack on the capital in nine months. 

This followed several other deadly strikes, including one in Sumy city on Palm Sunday that reportedly killed 35 people.  Another in Kryvyi Rih killed 18, including nine children – the deadliest single strike against children since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, verified that as of 24 April, 151 civilians have been killed, and 697, injured so far this month in Ukraine. 

Verification is ongoing, but numbers are expected to surpass the March figures, which were already 50 per cent higher than in February.

She also noted recent media reports quoting local Russian authorities that indicate civilian casualties in the Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod regions in Russia, including alleged Ukrainian strikes on 23 and 24 April that reportedly killed three people in the Belgorod region.

“We condemn all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur,” she said.

Diplomatic efforts encouraged

Ms. DiCarlo noted that the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a durable ceasefire in Ukraine.

“In this regard, we are encouraged by the diplomatic efforts underway,” she said.

“We take note of yesterday’s announcement by the Russian Federation of a 72-hour truce planned for the period from 8 to 10 May.”

It follows a similar Russian announcement on 19 April of a 30-hour Easter truce, “and Ukrainian authorities reportedly agreed to mirror any such steps, reiterating their earlier support for a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States,” she said.

“Regrettably, hostilities continued during Holy Week, with both sides accusing each other of violations.”

She recalled that a month earlier, the Secretary-General welcomed separate announcements by the US, Russia and Ukraine regarding a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure and the resumption of negotiations on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

“Despite these commitments, however, attacks against energy infrastructure persisted,” she said. 

Political will valuable

Ms. DiCarlo said the continued exchange of prisoner of war by both sides – including the largest to date, when 500 people were swapped on 20 April – “shows that with political will, diplomacy can yield tangible results even in the most difficult circumstances.”

She concluded her remarks by pointing to the forthcoming 80th anniversary of the Second World War, which serves as a reminder “with even greater urgency” of the centrality of the UN Charter and international law in safeguarding peace and security.

“The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine stands as an egregious challenge to these fundamental principles, jeopardizing stability in Europe and threatening the broader international order,” she said.

“What is needed now is a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a critical first step towards ending the violence and creating the conditions for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace.”

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Joyce Msuya, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs the Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

Millions in need

Ms. Msuya reported that the humanitarian situation in Ukraine has worsened despite ceasefire opportunities. Overall, nearly 13 million people need assistance.

“So far this year, not a single day has passed without civilians being killed or injured in attacks,” she said. 

The operating environment also remains highly dangerous for humanitarians. 

Aid workers under attack

“From 1 January to 23 April, there were 38 verified security incidents impacting humanitarian staff within 20 kilometers of the frontline. This has left three aid workers dead and 21 injured while delivering life-saving assistance,” she said.

Ms. Msuya reiterated earlier calls for the Council to take urgent, collective action on Ukraine in three areas.

She urged ambassadors to ensure the protection of civilians – including humanitarian and health workers – and critical infrastructure. 

Her second point stressed the need to increase financial support for humanitarian operations as underfunding is forcing critical programmes to scale down. 

Finally, she called for a just peace: “Every effort, whether aimed at a temporary pause or a lasting agreement, must prioritize the protection and needs of civilians.”