During the meeting of the Security Council, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs emphasized the UN’s reaffirmation of its commitment to the “territorial integrity of Ukraine” within its “recognized borders”.

“Let me reiterate that the United Nations remains fully committed to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” Rosemary DiCarlo said at the start of the meeting, before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link. .

Earlier this evening, the pro-Russian authorities in the Zaporozhye region in southern Ukraine declared victory for those who voted “yes” in a referendum to join Russia, which Kyiv and Western countries condemned as illegitimate.

The electoral commission of this region confirmed that 93.11% of voters voted for joining Russia after counting 100% of the votes, noting that this result is still preliminary.

Earlier in the day, NATO Director General Jens Stoltenberg called “Russian referendums on Ukrainian soil a flagrant violation of international law.”