Analyse
The quote matches **verbatim** the UN Secretary-General’s remarks during a **February 17, 2022, press briefing** on the Ukraine crisis, as recorded in the **official UN transcript** and widely reported by credible media. Guterres repeatedly emphasized the risk of war ('abyss') and called for dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation as the sole path to de-escalation. No evidence suggests misattribution or fabrication of the quote.
Achtergrond
In early 2022, Russia amassed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, sparking global alarm. Guterres’ warning came days before Russia’s **February 24 invasion**, as the UN Security Council debated diplomatic solutions. His framing of the crisis as an 'abyss' reflected broader international concerns about imminent large-scale conflict.
Samenvatting verdict
António Guterres did make this statement in February 2022 amid escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions, urging diplomatic resolution to avoid conflict.