As part of the participation in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The President stressed that Ukraine is ready to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, in particular in reforming the Organization and strengthening its role in overcoming global challenges.
"Russian aggression remains such a challenge for our region," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President handed over to the UN Secretary-General a list of almost 450 Ukrainians detained in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. He asked António Guterres to help release the prisoners.
The President thanked the interlocutor for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and informed him about the current security situation in Donbas.
"Last year, Ukraine supported your call for a global ceasefire. Despite all our peaceful efforts, the shelling of Ukrainian positions continues," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President briefed the UN Secretary-General on the results of the Crimea Platform Summit and stressed that Ukraine counts on the full support of the UN for the given initiative.
"Achieving the ultimate goal of the Crimea Platform - the return of Crimea - will restore respect for the UN Charter. I believe that it is the duty of the Organization to promote the implementation of the decisions of the Crimea Platform," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed António Guterres about the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, which took place in August in Kyiv.
The President stressed the important role of the Secretary-General in ensuring effective coordination in the UN as regards the implementation of two important for Ukraine General Assembly resolutions on the human rights situation in the occupied Crimea and the militarization of the peninsula.
The interlocutors discussed Ukraine's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
"It is important that more than 300 Ukrainian “blue helmets" perform tasks in six UN peacekeeping operations. Ukraine will continue to contribute to the common cause of strengthening international peace and security," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy positively noted Ukraine's entry into the top ten countries - the largest suppliers of goods and services for the needs of the UN Secretariat.
"We are ready to increase our participation in the supply of goods and services, in particular for peacekeeping operations, in IT and food supply. Many Ukrainian companies are able to supply quality goods and services at competitive prices," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited UN Secretary-General António Guterres to visit Ukraine.
