United Nations – The 193-member UN General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to demand an immediate end to Russia’s hostilities against Ukraine and to increase humanitarian access to protect civilians fleeing the bombing and to provide food and security. medicines enter the war-ravaged nation.
The resolution was passed by more than the required majority, with 140 votes in favor, five against and 38 nations abstaining.
Presented by Ukraine and backed by the United States and dozens of other nations, the resolution deplores the “disastrous humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation’s hostilities against Ukraine, including harassment and bombing and airstrikes on densely populated cities.” “Ukraine in particular. Mariupol, as well as attacks on civilians, including journalists.”
He also condemned the attacks on civilian facilities, “in particular schools and other educational institutions, water and sanitation systems, medical facilities and their means of transport and equipment, and the abduction of local officers …” .
The language of the measure was blunt, criticizing Russia’s “military offensive … within the sovereign territory of Ukraine and its humanitarian consequences” on a scale that the international community “has not seen in Europe in decades.”
The resolution passed Thursday includes the need for “full implementation” of the resolution approved in early March by the General Assembly demanding that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” As such, the measure again raised the critical point that Russia is isolated from the world, but also exposed the world’s failure to force Russia to change its course.
EU Ambassador Olof Skoog, after the vote, said: “I believe that the General Assembly has once again taken a very important decision to call for an end to hostilities, to ensure that humanitarian aid it can reach people who need it, and those who want to leave will have a safe passage out of the besieged part of Ukraine. “
President Biden’s envoy to the UN, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told reporters after the resolution was adopted that “Russia has tried and failed, at the UN Security Council, and in collaboration with others here in the General Assembly, to undermine Ukraine at all times … but this week, once again, the United States and other nations around the world have shown solidarity with Ukraine to demand accountability in Russia “.
“Look at the large number of Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes – more than 3.5 million have crossed the border – but up to 10 million in total, including those 3 million, have been forced to leave. “There is no neutral ground.” he said of the abstentions.
Asked by CBS News about the impact of the vote, he said: “It will definitely have an impact on the ground, because it will give encouragement to the Ukrainian people. But more importantly, I think it identifies us all. What we need to do to to support Ukraine with humanitarian aid. “
UN General Assembly resolutions are not enforceable, but they may have widespread political weight, which is why Russia tried to block approval of the measure, first threatening a veto when it was presented to the Council. of Security and later when it presented a rival resolution. to the Security Council. Russia’s move, which held back criticism of its own attacks, failed 13-2 on Wednesday, with only China supporting it.
The land in Ukraine
UN agencies are in charge of the lion’s share of the humanitarian response to the crisis, including helping with the needs of refugees, IDPs and the wounded. But the UN’s efforts to help end the war have not progressed.
One month after Russia’s war on Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters that the war was “invincible”.
He spoke of “the horrific human suffering and destruction of cities, towns and villages and the terror of civilians through systematic bombing, bombing of hospitals, schools, apartment buildings and shelters.”
The number of Ukrainian refugees is now almost 3.7 million civilians, mostly women and children 10 million Ukrainians currently displaced from their homes.
Guterres has been an outspoken critic of Russia’s attack and has spoken with most of the world leaders involved, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but Russian President Vladimir Putin will not accept his call, he said. UN diplomat.
“The Russians have made it clear that they are not currently interested in the Secretary-General’s mediation offers,” another UN official working closely with the UN chief told CBS News.
As President Biden and European leaders meet in BrusselsThomas-Greenfield was asked what happens next.
“End the war. That’s what follows,” he said.
“The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is serious, dozens of innocent civilians, including children, have been killed and injured. And it gets worse every hour,” Canadian Ambassador to the UN Bob Rae told diplomats.
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- United Nations General Assembly
- Ukraine
- Russia
- United Nations
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