The longer the tragic war in Ukraine continues, the higher the risk of escalation and spread, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"We must stop the suffering and break the cycle of violence – for the sake of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the world. The Black Sea Initiative and the continued exchanges of prisoners of war serve as reminders that, when there is political will, diplomacy can succeed – even in the darkest hour. Today, though the prospects for peace may seem distant, I am inspired by the growing calls for dialogue," he said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Ukraine in New York.

Guterres called for intensified efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that complies with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions. The Secretary-General assured that the United Nations will support all efforts in this direction.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a resurgence of inflammatory rhetoric and incidents around nuclear sites – particularly at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, and alarmingly, at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Russian Federation," he said.

Guterres noted the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, including its critical presence at Ukraine's nuclear facilities to help ensure nuclear safety and security.

"I urge all parties to act responsibly and avoid any declaration or action that could further destabilize an already incendiary situation," he said.

In addition, the Secretary-General pointed out that power outages and destruction of infrastructure have left millions of people in the dark, and strongly condemned all attacks on civilians and civilian objects, wherever they occur and whoever is responsible.

"They all must stop immediately. And I remain deeply concerned about the safety, humanitarian needs and basic human rights of people residing in occupied areas," Guterres noted.