UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has indicated that a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine does not seem possible at the moment.

Guterres has been urging both Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire to prevent more civilian casualties. He sent Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths, who coordinates humanitarian affairs, to Moscow and Kyiv last week.

Guterres on Wednesday expressed pessimism about a ceasefire. But he stressed that efforts are continuing, noting the UN is waiting for Russia's response to its call to ensure the safety of civilian evacuation and humanitarian relief activities.

Guterres also said the war in Ukraine has left up to 1.7 billion people highly exposed to food, energy and financial disruptions, which are triggering increases in poverty and hunger.

He appealed for international support not only for Ukraine and its neighbors but also for developing countries, saying, "The most vulnerable people around the world cannot become collateral damage in yet another disaster for which they bear no responsibility."