Russia’s proposal to the UN Security Council on access to humanitarian aid and protection of the civilian population in Ukraine, which did not mention Moscow’s role in the crisis, was rejected on Wednesday.
Only Russia and China voted in favor of the UN Security Council vote. The remaining 13 members chose to abstain.
“If Russia were interested in the humanitarian crisis, it would stop bombing children and end its siege tactics. But she did not do it, “said Barbara Woodward, Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations. Russia denies launching attacks on civilians.
A UN Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no veto by any of its five permanent members (Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States).
Moscow canceled a scheduled vote in the Security Council last Friday, accusing Western countries of campaigning for “unprecedented pressure” against the text. The United States has denied the allegations.
Russia submitted the plan after France and Mexico withdrew their views on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, anticipating that Moscow would veto it after criticizing Russia for its role in creating a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Ukraine and its allies are pushing for a similar bill to be voted on this week at the 193-member UN General Assembly, which has no veto power. UN General Assembly resolutions are not binding, but they carry special political weight.
“Within a month, Russia has caused one of the fastest-growing humanitarian catastrophes in the world,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations.
Ahead of the vote in the UN General Assembly, Thomas Greenfield added: “Abstaining from Russia’s atrocities is unacceptable. “Russia must be held accountable for the humanitarian crisis it is causing.”
South Africa is pushing for a draft resolution in the General Assembly on the same subject, which does not mention Russia and its role.
Ukraine’s plan is estimated to have 88 supporters, with six in South Africa, including China, according to diplomatic sources.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has accused Ukraine and its allies of “another political anti-Russian show” at the UN General Assembly. He urged countries to vote in favor of the South African plan, saying it would “send a message to the peaceful people of Ukraine that the United Nations is aware of their situation and wants to help.”
For his part, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergei Kislytsia appealed to the UN General Assembly: “We ask all those who are against the war to vote with us.”
Ukraine and its allies seek to secure more than 141 votes in favor of a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on March 2 condemning Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine and calling for the withdrawal of its troops. from Ukrainian territory. Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea and Syria voted against, while 35 countries (including China) voted against.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
