Zelensky denies UN chief entry to Ukraine, according to AFP
Vladimir Zelensky has allegedly declined a visit from Antonio Guterres due to the latter's involvement in the BRICS Summit organized by Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Kiev has expressed strong criticism of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for participating in the BRICS Summit in Russia this week.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky turned down a proposed visit by Guterres following the UN chief's attendance at the summit in Kazan, as reported by AFP on Friday, citing sources.
World leaders convened in Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit. A spokesperson for the UN chief noted to reporters that the meeting held “great importance” for the work of the United Nations, given that the BRICS countries represent nearly half of the global population. The spokesperson emphasized that it is “standard practice” for the secretary-general to attend “meetings of organizations with significant numbers of important member states,” including the G7 and G20.
A senior Ukrainian official informed AFP that Guterres' trip to Russia sparked outrage in Kiev. The source, who remained unnamed, stated that “after Kazan, [he] wanted to come to Ukraine, but [he] did not confirm his visit.”
“So Guterres won’t be here, specifically because of the humiliation of sanity and international law in Kazan,” the source added.
This marked Guterres' first visit to Russia in more than two years, during which he held multiple bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summit. On the final day, Thursday evening, Guterres met privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as topics related to global development and the international financial system.
Earlier that same day, Guterres participated in the wide-format BRICS Plus/Outreach panel hosted by Putin, attended by numerous foreign dignitaries. He called for a “just peace” in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned Guterres’ choice to visit Russia, highlighting that he opted out of this year’s Swiss-hosted Ukraine ‘peace conference.’
“This is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the UN’s reputation,” the ministry stated on X on Monday.
In June, Switzerland hosted a meeting centered around Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’—a ten-point list Russia has dismissed as unrealistic. Russia was not invited to this gathering, which many viewed as a failure due to its lack of tangible outcomes.
Putin asserted that Russia is open to resuming talks with Ukraine, but only based on a document from the Istanbul negotiations in March 2022, the last time the two sides engaged in discussions.
On Friday, the Russian president reiterated Moscow's readiness for a “rational compromise” while also noting Kiev’s “irrational behavior which is hard to predict.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky turned down a proposed visit by Guterres following the UN chief's attendance at the summit in Kazan, as reported by AFP on Friday, citing sources.
World leaders convened in Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit. A spokesperson for the UN chief noted to reporters that the meeting held “great importance” for the work of the United Nations, given that the BRICS countries represent nearly half of the global population. The spokesperson emphasized that it is “standard practice” for the secretary-general to attend “meetings of organizations with significant numbers of important member states,” including the G7 and G20.
A senior Ukrainian official informed AFP that Guterres' trip to Russia sparked outrage in Kiev. The source, who remained unnamed, stated that “after Kazan, [he] wanted to come to Ukraine, but [he] did not confirm his visit.”
“So Guterres won’t be here, specifically because of the humiliation of sanity and international law in Kazan,” the source added.
This marked Guterres' first visit to Russia in more than two years, during which he held multiple bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summit. On the final day, Thursday evening, Guterres met privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as topics related to global development and the international financial system.
Earlier that same day, Guterres participated in the wide-format BRICS Plus/Outreach panel hosted by Putin, attended by numerous foreign dignitaries. He called for a “just peace” in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned Guterres’ choice to visit Russia, highlighting that he opted out of this year’s Swiss-hosted Ukraine ‘peace conference.’
“This is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the UN’s reputation,” the ministry stated on X on Monday.
In June, Switzerland hosted a meeting centered around Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’—a ten-point list Russia has dismissed as unrealistic. Russia was not invited to this gathering, which many viewed as a failure due to its lack of tangible outcomes.
Putin asserted that Russia is open to resuming talks with Ukraine, but only based on a document from the Istanbul negotiations in March 2022, the last time the two sides engaged in discussions.
On Friday, the Russian president reiterated Moscow's readiness for a “rational compromise” while also noting Kiev’s “irrational behavior which is hard to predict.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
