Activities of Secretary-General in Ukraine, 8-10 July

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine, from Hamburg, Germany, late in the evening on Saturday, 8 July.

His first appointment on Sunday, 9 July, was with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, followed by discussions with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.

The Secretary-General then held a town-hall meeting with United Nations staff in Kyiv, as well as several other offices in Ukraine by video teleconference.

He met with President Petro Poroshenko and the two men held a joint press conference.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General expressed his solidarity with Ukrainians who are suffering and his commitment to do everything he can to address their plight, stressing the need to respect the ceasefire.  He also voiced support of the reform efforts the Government is promoting and appreciation for Ukraine’s contributions to the United Nations, especially in the peacekeeping realm.

The Secretary-General’s final meeting was with Andriy Parubiv, Speaker of Parliament.

Early in the morning on Monday, 10 July, the Secretary-General departed Kyiv for New York.