Feverish maneuvers for peace in Ukraine, even behind the scenes, at the 77th general assembly of the UN, which on the inaugural day sees the intervention of three European leaders so far crucial in the resistance of the Western coalition against Russia: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Mario Draghi, followed by Joe Biden and Volodymr Zelensky on Wednesday (for now with recorded speech).
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the first to speak in the classroom after the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres and the main architect of the mediation attempts explored so far.
The Turkish president has launched an appeal to find an "honorable way out"
French President Emmanuel Macron
he called the announcement of a referendum in four breakaway regions of Ukraine a "farce", saying it will not have "legal consequences".
"I think what Russia has announced is a farce - he said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly - The only thing that exists is the war decided by Russia, the resistance of Ukraine and the end of the war we want".
"Russia, despite being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has violated the UN charter with an illegal aggression" in Ukraine: French President Emmanuel Macron said in his speech at the general assembly at the UN, admonishing that we are faced with a "simple choice between war or peace".
Macron recalled that he wanted to remain committed to the peace efforts but said that a negotiation to end the war "is not possible if Russia does not accept the sovereignty of Ukraine".
The invasion of Ukraine is a "return to the age of imperialism and colonies": "What we have been witnessing since February 24 is a return to the era of imperialism and colonies. France rejects this and will stubbornly seek peace ", the French president insisted at the UN General Assembly.
So, Macron stressed that "we are all aware that only an agreement that respects international law will allow peace to return and negotiations are possible only if Ukraine wants them and Russia accepts them in good faith".
US President Joe Biden "will certainly address" the issue of reforming the UN Security Council during the General Assembly.
American national security adviser Jake Sullivan said this in a press briefing.
"I don't know if he will talk about it in public or in private with the secretary general but it is certainly an issue he will address", he specified.