“International law is unequivocal, and every state must refrain from any action aimed at total or partial disruption of the national unity or territorial integrity of any other state”, – António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres dedicated his speech to the fundamental principles set out in the UN Charter, which upholds and protects the territorial integrity of Member States and promotes the principle of sovereignty and equality of States.

The Secretary noted that the General Assembly has reaffirmed these fundamental principles on numerous occasions, in particular by adopting the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Referring to the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Guterres noted that the UN continues to be guided by the relevant General Assembly resolutions, in particular Resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, under which the UN pledges to support the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. In addition, the Secretary-General stated that he would continue to publish reports on the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.