The UN secretary general said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him he had no intention of ordering further military incursions into Ukrainian territory.
Ban Ki-moon made the remarks to reporters after briefing the UN Security Council on his recent talks in Moscow and Kiev, as he urged the international community to de-escalate the crisis.
He responded to a question on whether Putin gave him any assurances that Russia was not planning to go into southern and eastern Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea.
Putin told Ban “that he had no intention to make any military move. I should also tell you at the same time that President Putin also expressed his concern about some extreme radical elements and any such movement along the border lines,” the UN chief said.
“The emotions were running high and tensions have been very highly charged. Therefore my immediate priority was to urge the leaders of both (sides) to engage in direct dialogue.”
He added: “I also urged the leaders of the Ukrainian authorities to address all the domestic concerns which they may have which may also create concerns to the Russian side.”
But “he (Putin) assured me he would have no such intention” on further military initiatives, Ban said.
The UN chief also said he was “deeply concerned” that international divisions, with Russia and the West pitted against each other, could harm response to other conflicts and emergencies.
“At this time of heightened tension even small sparks can ignite larger flames of unintended consequences,” Ban said.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin named no names but took a swipe at Western members of the Security Council, accusing them of whipping up an impression of imminent Russian aggression.
Ten to 12 countries had participated in four inspections of Russian military troops, he told reporters.
“I’m sure if they saw something dramatic they would have raised hell over it immediately,” Churkin said.
“There is no worry of any Russian initiative against Ukraine.”
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