UN confronting seismic crisis with war in Ukraine: Turkish deputy foreign minister

By Iclal Turan

NEW YORK (AA) - The UN is confronting a crisis that shook the organization’s founding principles with the war in Ukraine, Türkiye’s deputy minister of foreign affairs said Wednesday.

“It would be fair to assert that such cataclysmic chapters are hardly exceptional in the history of this organization,” Burak Akcapar told a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

Noting that the UN failed to fulfill its duty because the veto of “one trumped the will of the rest,” he said “the ongoing war in Ukraine laid bare the representation crisis within the organization.”

Türkiye remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, he stressed, adding its pursuit of a negotiated end to the conflict continues.

Türkiye has spearheaded efforts to facilitate diplomatic talks, the senior Turkish diplomat noted, while also recalling Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts together with the UN to bring the Black Sea Grain Initiative to life.

“Now we are working closely with the UN to revive this initiative,” he said.

“Ultimately, diplomacy can, we hope, help us reach our goal to revive this initiative,” he added.

Russia refused to extend the grain deal in July, complaining that the West had not met its obligations and that there were still restrictions on its own food and fertilizer exports. Moscow particularly criticized the restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance.

The grain deal was brokered by the UN and Türkiye last year, and it enabled Ukraine to ship grain via the Black Sea and succeeded in bringing down global food prices.

On the Russian war in Ukraine, Akcapar said Ukraine deserves a “just peace” that will secure its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

“We remain convinced that this can be achieved through negotiations, and the diplomatic track is worth every effort,” he said, adding that diplomacy cannot thrive while the cycle of conflict endures.

Noting that a negotiated peace would have to include both Ukraine and Russia, he said the world must be ready when that “inevitable moment” emerges.

“Humanity must find a way to prevent conflicts and resolve disputes peacefully. This council too must be reformed,” he said.

“In the period ahead, Türkiye will maintain our unwavering support to Ukraine not only to win the war but also to win the peace,” he added. ​​​​​​​