Servet Günerigök
01 March 2022•Update: 01 March 2022
WASHINGTON
Turkiye's envoy at the UN called Monday for an immediate "humanitarian pause" in Ukraine as Russia’s attack on the country entered its sixth day.
"It is the only way to prevent a grave and irreversible loss of innocent civilian lives," said Feridun Sinirlioglu at a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly.
Earlier, Ukrainian and Russian delegations held talks in the Gomel region of Belarus, which borders both sides to the conflict. After the five-hour long talks, both sides agreed to hold a second round of negotiations to achieve a cease-fire soon.
Sinirlioglu said the talks between the parties must be results-oriented for a cease-fire.
"It should be approached with good faith and not be misused to buy time."
He said the UN is not powerless and has the power to pave the way for a peaceful solution.
"But if we fail to take action, the rising death toll will rest on the conscience of humanity for decades to come. History will not judge us kindly.
"We will be remembered as the generation that did not defend helpless people," he added.
Since Thursday when Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have been forced to flee in fear for their lives.
*Cahit Oktay in New York contributed to this story
