In phone call with Ukraine's Prez, Ban discusses country’s ongoing crisis

The Secretary-General visited the Russian capital on 9 May for the 70th anniversary celebration of ‘Victory Day’ which marks the conclusion of the Second World War in Europe for Russian forces.

During his time in Moscow, Ban also conducted discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the continuing fighting in Ukraine’s eastern regions.

“They discussed the importance of implementing fully the February 2015 Minsk package and also how the UN could support the implementation of that agreement,” the UN spokesperson’s office explained in a readout of the telephone conversation between Ban and Poroshenko.

He said, “In this connection, the Secretary-General informed President Poroshenko that he will be proceeding with consultations with members of the Security Council and others on the possible establishment of a United Nations peace support office in Ukraine.”

In late February 2014, the situation in Ukraine transcended what was initially seen as an internal Ukrainian political crisis into violent clashes in parts of the country, later reaching full-scale conflict in the east.

Despite a September 2014 cease-fire agreed in Minsk, the situation in Ukraine has since continuously deteriorated, with serious consequences for the country's unity, territorial integrity and stability.

In February 2015, the parties in Ukraine and the Trilateral Contact Group signed a “Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements.”

UN Photo/M. Garten (file photo)