UN General Assembly passes resolution condemning Russia’s aggression
The resolution tabled by the United States, which omitted mention of Russian aggression, only passed after a majority of Member States voted to add EU-led amendments which led to the US abstaining on it own motion and voting against the Ukrainian text.
However, the text in the original US resolution was passed hours later in the Security Council – the first to do so since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022.
Until Monday’s high stakes diplomatic debates, the Security Council – which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security – has been unable to find consensus, owing largely to Russia’s veto power as a permanent member.
“Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, proposed by Ukraine and co-sponsored by a host of European countries, was a three-page document that included clauses noting that “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has persisted for three years and continues to have devastating and long-lasting consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for other regions and global stability.”
It called for a commitment to “the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders” and the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed under international law, through “fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at national and international level”.
The US tabled its own version alongside, entitled “Path to Peace”, a brief draft limited to mourning the loss of life throughout the Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict; reiterating that the principal purpose of the UN is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes; and imploring a swift end to the conflict – urging a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russia.
Amendments to the text were put forward by Russia and the European Union. Russia proposed adding the words “including by addressing its root causes” to the third paragraph (on a swift end to the conflict).
A change in position
When it came to the vote, Ukraine’s version passed by 93 votes to 18. The US voted against, alongside Russia, marking a major shift of its position on the conflict and previous votes.
The US supported a similar resolution submitted in February 2023 which received 141 votes in favour.
65 nations abstained, including South Africa, whose representative, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, said that the draft “does not go far enough in terms of inclusivity and creating a positive momentum towards a peaceful negotiation”.
The US version was also adopted (93 in favour, eight against and 73 abstentions), but Member States also voted to add the European Union amendments with 60 in favour, 18 against and 81 abstentions.
The US voted against the amendments and abstained on its own resolution (the General Assembly failed to adopt the Russian amendment, with 31 in favour, 71 against and 59 abstentions).
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa, told the Assembly that the way Russian aggression is answered “will define the future of Ukraine…Europe and our common future.”
Later, flanked by co-sponsors of the country’s General Assembly resolution, she delivered a statement at the media stakeout just outside the Security Council Chamber. She said that the General Assembly had demanded “an early end to this war of aggression and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter.”
The General Assembly’s reaffirmation of support for international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity was, she said, profoundly important and warned that a peace deal that “risks rewarding aggression increases the risk” creates a dangerous precedent for the future.
Source: UN News
