Muscat: The United Nations (UN) has called for the resumption of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to prevent further escalation, affirming that dialogue is the only path to peace and condemning all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

According to Oman News Agency, the appeal came in a Security Council briefing by Kayoko Gotoh, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division in the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Kayoko condemned all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur, stressing that such attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law and demanding their immediate halt.

The UN official urged the resumption of negotiations without delay to prevent further escalation and make progress toward an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire. Dialogue based on genuine political will, commitment to the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions is the only way to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, she said, adding that the UN is ready to support all serious efforts to that end.

The Council also heard a briefing from Edem Wosornu of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who noted that aid workers in Ukraine had come under repeated attacks in the past week. She stressed the need to protect humanitarian personnel, saying directly targeting them is prohibited under international law and may constitute war crimes, and called on all parties to ensure such incidents do not recur.

Wosornu said OCHA is ready to work with concerned parties to support safe, voluntary evacuations and ensure safe, regular humanitarian access to front-line communities.