As worries of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine mount, the United Nations has warned that “the world is confronting a time of peril.”
Millions of Ukrainians reside in Russia on a permanent basis, while Russians also reside in Ukraine, and many people have relatives in both countries.
On Monday, President Vladimir Putin issued an order for forces to enter Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine’s occupied areas, in violation of international law, while also claiming that Ukraine was not a “genuine country” and was under US influence.
Several Ukrainian government websites were down on Wednesday, allegedly as a result of a cyber-attack, and Ukraine has announced a 30-day state of emergency.
Ukraine is also conscripting reservists into the regular military as it prepares for a possible invasion by Russia, which has deployed almost 190,000 troops around the country.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned on Wednesday that “the world is confronting a moment of peril,” which he described as “a moment I genuinely hoped would not arrive.”
Speaking at the UN’s headquarters in New York during a General Assembly meeting to discuss Ukraine, António Guterres said the meeting is taking place “in the context of the most serious global peace and security crisis in recent years, and definitely in my term as secretary general.”
“Reports of growing ceasefire violations across the contact line, as well as other recent developments in Ukraine, are grounds for considerable concern.”