UN chief welcomes Ukraine's readiness to accept proposal for 30-day ceasefire

UNITED NATIONS, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations welcomes a joint statement following the U.S.-Ukraine talks, in which Ukraine has agreed to the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, and hopes it will pave the way for a just peace in the country, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

"First of all, in relation to the ceasefire, we of course will welcome a ceasefire in Ukraine," Guterres said at a press conference when commenting on Ukraine's readiness to accept the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

"Too many people have died. A ceasefire is indeed a positive thing, and we hope that it will materialize," he said.

The UN chief expressed his hope that the move will pave the way for a just peace in Ukraine that abides by the UN Charter and international law.

Ukraine agreed on Tuesday to the U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to the joint statement. ■