United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said on Monday that the global organization is seeking an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia to “allow for progress in serious political negotiations.”

“This must stop,” he said, adding that “the solution to this humanitarian tragedy is not humanitarian. It is political.”

He told reporters that he had asked UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths “immediately to explore with the parties involved, the possible agreements and arrangements for a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine.”

He further expressed his hope of Griffiths shuttling to both Kyiv and Moscow as soon as he arrives from a mission to Afghanistan.

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According to Guterres, the ceasefire would also “help to address the global consequences of this war, which risk compounding the deep hunger crisis in many developing countries” that are already vulnerable and are facing challenges in recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. 

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Guterres’ appeal comes as the civilian toll continues to skyrocket a month after Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Guterres criticized Russia’s acts of destruction, sieges and killings that have sent ripples far west, resulting in food and energy prices soaring.

Last week, the UN General Assembly witnessed an overwhelming majority that demanded an immediate stop to Russia’s war.

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So far, talks between representatives of Ukraine and Russia in Turkey have severely failed in producing a ceasefire, with Russian forces collapsing the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol “into dust” at present.

According to Mariupol’s mayor, the city now lies “in the hands of the occupiers”.

Since the invasion on February 24, thousands of Ukrainians have died and millions have fled the war-hit country to find refuge in neighbouring countries like Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.