UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed fears that the war in Ukraine would spread, in remarks to the UN General Assembly in New York, as the war approaches its first anniversary.

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is inflicting unprecedented suffering on the Ukrainian people, with profound global implications," Guterres said.

"Prospects for peace continue to diminish. The chances of further escalation and bloodshed continue to grow. I fear that the world is now sleepwalking into a wider war. I'm afraid he's doing it with his eyes wide open," he added.

Referring to Russia's implicit threat to use nuclear weapons, he said: “The world needs peace. The so-called 'tactical' use of nuclear weapons is absurd. We are at the greatest risk of nuclear war in decades, which could start by accident or by design."