UNITED NATIONS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed new progress in ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine following recent U.S. separate talks with Russia and Ukraine, according to a UN statement issued late Wednesday.
In the statement, Guterres "welcomes the announcements by President Donald Trump of the United States and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation regarding an energy infrastructure ceasefire, as well as negotiations towards implementing the initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea."
He "also welcomes the announcement that President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy and that technical teams will discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea."
"These steps represent important confidence-building measures that can facilitate further discussions among all relevant actors towards de-escalation of the war," he said.
Guterres expressed hope that the steps "will pave the way for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that fully respects Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity."
He said that reaching an agreement on safe and free navigation in the Black Sea, with security commitments and in line with the UN Charter and international law, would be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains.
Underscoring his consistent support for the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, the UN chief said he remains closely engaged in the continued implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with Russia on global food security. ■
