Ukraine Furious Over Remarks On Russia By U.N. Chief Ban
Source: Reuters
The Kiev government is outraged by remarks made by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about the crucial role Russia can play in ending conflicts, and no longer believes he has any moral authority, Ukraine's U.N. envoy said on Thursday.
Ban's prepared speech for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum said Russia "has a critical role to play ... in addressing other pressing global issues, from ending the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, to safeguarding human rights and controlling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."
The delivered version was slightly different. It did not mention Ukraine but said Moscow "has a very important role to play and I really count heavily on the leadership of the Russian Federation."
Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko told reporters he was incensed by Ban's remarks which came across as praise of Moscow, which the Kiev government and Western powers accuse of supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSKCN0Z22E9
ST. PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his work on global problems and suggested discussing the situation in Syria.
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Ban said it was his last year on the post of the UN secretary general, and added that he would like to express his gratitude and respect for all Putin’s efforts on the international arena. The UN chief said it has been a great pleasure for him to work with Russia, Russian diplomats and Putin.
Ban Ki-moon said Russia, while being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, supports international peace and security.
More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/882679
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