Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Ukraine

"The Secretary-General continues to closely follow the seriously and rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine, including developments in Crimea, and is gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the full respect for and preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

He calls for an immediate restoration of calm and direct dialogue between all concerned to solve the current crisis.

The Secretary-General will be speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia shortly about the situation in Ukraine.

As the Secretary-General is about to fly to Europe, he has asked the Deputy Secretary-General to attend today’s Security Council session to brief members of the Council on developments in Ukraine".

New York, 1 March 2014