Ban Ki-moon talks to Putin, condemns terrorist attacks in Volgograd

Mr. Ban also stressed the importance of strong international cooperation to fight terrorism, the UN written statement said. When asked, the UN spokesperson’s office did not want to disclose whether the UN chief called President Putin or vice versa.

Ban expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks in Volgograd as well as to the people of the Russian Federation.

While thanking UN chief for his personal condolences - President Putin noted that the “international community must work together in the fight against terrorism and commended the United Nations for its important role in coordinating efforts to fight organized crime and terrorism,” the same statement reads. 

Mr. Putin also assured the UN Secretary General that “Russia would work within the bounds of international law to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

- Security Council reacts

Regarding the same development after two terrorist attacks that occurred within 24 hours in Volgograd, the members of the UN Security Council expressed their outrage and strongly condemned the second terrorist attack on December 30, 2013.

"These abhorrent and abominable attacks deliberately targeted places of mass gathering, in particular public transportation,” the UNSC Press statement said.

The same statement reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The UNSC statement also underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice.

- Russia ready for Geneva II Conference

During the telephone conversation with Secretary General Ban, President Putin confirmed Russia's strong support for the International Conference on Syria, to start, as UN planned - in Switzerland on January 22. According to the same UN statement, Russia is also ready for the second humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, to be held on January 15 in Kuwait, with President Putin confirming that.

But, also on Monday, asked separately by UN reporter on the issue -- chief UN spokeperson Martin Nesirky couldn't confirm whether Mr. Ban already sent his invitations for all the countries that will be invited beside the main actors for Geneva II Conference.

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