He led the Soviet Union from 1985 until it was dissolved in 1991 after he introduced several social and economic reforms that were more popular abroad than at home.
Since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, there have been 13,560 civilian casualties, with 5,614 deaths, including 362 children and 7,946 people injured.
“The people of Ukraine and beyond need peace, and they need peace now. Peace in line with the UN Charter. Peace in line with international law,” said Mr Guterres.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday praised Ukraine’s armed forces in a video message to celebrate the country’s independence day.
Hopes are currently pinned on the agreement with Russia enabling a resumption of regular Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea.
Ukraine has raised its outlook for this year’s harvest, forecasting it will bring in 10 per cent more crops despite Russia’s continuing invasion.
A bit further south, however, Russian units at Spirne had advanced further towards the town of Siversk with massive artillery support and air force deployment.
Russia is suspending an agreement that allows Japanese fishing companies to harvest in waters near the disputed Kuril Islands.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month quipped that he would like to dedicate Taylor Swift’s ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ to Mr Putin.
U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed to provide Ukraine with advanced rocket systems that can strike with precision at long-range Russian targets.
