United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday announced the release of $40 million from the world body's Central Emergency Response Fund to ramp up vital humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He also called on member states to fund the global humanitarian development and recovery needs.

"I have been in close contact with a number of countries – including China, France, Germany, India, Israel and Turkey – on mediation efforts to bring an end to this war," Guterres said. "It's never too late for diplomacy and dialogue. We need an immediate cessation of hostilities and serious negotiations based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We need peace," he added. "Peace for the people of Ukraine, peace for the world."