'Needless' Ukraine war a 'significant catalyst' in reshaping world geopolitics: UN

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Impact of the ongoing Ukraine war extends far beyond the borders of Ukraine, UN General Assembly president on Friday warned, demanding Russia immediately suspend its military operations.

"Tomorrow, 24 February, marks the second solemn anniversary of the launch of the Russian Federation’s full scale aggression against Ukraine, plunging its sovereign neighbor and innocent civilians into terror and suffering," Dennis Francis told General Assembly meeting on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Over the past two years, millions of innocent civilians have been uprooted from their homes and forced to flee in search of safety and shelter, Francis said, adding this year also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.

"Without doubt, this needless war has been a significant catalyst in reshaping world geopolitics and geo-economics, not only inflicting direct harm on the countries involved, but also impeding the developmental progress of numerous others, especially developing countries," he said.

Stressing that the war has affected every member state, whether in the form of soaring food prices or energy insecurity, Francis said it is also "actively" undermining the very foundations of the UN Charter, threatening the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The responsibility falls upon each and every one of us to uphold and to defend the principles enshrined in the UN Charter ... to ensure the primacy of and respect for the rule of law that includes hearing the orders of international courts, particularly those rendered by the International Court of Justice in March of last year, calling for the Russian Federation to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine," he said.

The UN must actively work towards a "comprehensive, just unsustainable peace" in line with the charter of this organization, he added.

"We must support all efforts that could open the possibility of a process aimed at resolving this conflict through diplomacy and dialogue," Francis said.