Kyiv: A crucial test of support was faced by Russia, on Monday as an extraordinary debate was held at the UN General Assembly, on a resolution condemning Moscow’s “aggression” in Ukraine. During the emergency session, Russia defended its decision to invade its neighbor as member state after member state made a plea for peace.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, giving a warning said, “The fighting in Ukraine must stop.”
“Enough is enough. Soldiers need to move back to their barracks. Leaders need to move to peace. Civilians must be protected,” he added.
Representatives of more than 100 countries around the globe, were expected to speak as the global body decides that if it will support the resolution that demands Russia immediately withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
The wording of the resolution attracted maximum support, according to drafts seen by AFP. It no longer “condemns” in the strongest terms, Russia’s aggression but rather “deplores” it.
On Wednesday vote is expected. Authors hope they may exceed 100 votes in favor. Countries like Syria, China, Cuba and India are expected to either support Russia or abstain.
Pointing at the regimes in Myanmar, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Russia, the diplomats said, “It will be seen as a barometer of democracy in a world where autocratic sentiment has been on the rise.”
“If Ukraine does not survive, the United Nations will not survive. Have no illusions,” said Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, imploring countries to support the resolution.
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia reiterated Moscow’s stance — flatly rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies — that its military operation was launched to protect residents of breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
“The hostilities were unleashed by Ukraine against its own residents,” he said from the podium.
“Russia is seeking to end this war,” Nebenzia added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Moscow has pleaded “self-defense” under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
But that has been roundly rejected by Western countries and the UN, which accuse Moscow of violating Article 2 of the Charter, requiring its members to refrain from the threat or use of force to resolve a crisis.
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