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The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to deliver a pre-recorded speech at next week’s meeting of world leaders as he deals with the post-Russian invasion war, but it required all leaders to speak by way of speech. people.
The 193-member world body approved Zelensky’s virtual address by a vote of 101 to 7, with 19 abstentions.
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The assembly first voted on an amendment proposed by Russia’s close ally Belarus, which would allow pre-recorded speeches from any leader facing special difficulties and unable to attend. It was defeated by 23 votes to 67, with 27 abstentions.
The approved document expresses concern that the leaders of “peace-loving” UN sovereign states “are unable to participate in person for reasons beyond their control, as ongoing foreign invasion, aggression, military hostilities do not allow for the safe departure and return to their countries, or as required to perform their defense and security duties and functions.”
The document, with more than 50 co-sponsors, allowed Zelensky to submit a pre-recorded statement for playback in the General Assembly Hall. It stressed that this would not set a precedent for future High-level General Assembly meetings.
The document refers to a General Assembly resolution passed at an emergency special session on March 2, six days after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, calling for an immediate halt to Moscow’s offensive and the withdrawal of all Russian troops. The vote on the resolution entitled “Aggression against Ukraine” was 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual meeting of world leaders in 2020 was all virtual at the General Assembly and mixed in 2021. But this year the General Assembly decided that all speeches would have to be delivered in person.
A proposal to have Zelensky pre-recorded his statement requires a majority in parliament. On the latest list of speakers, Zelensky will address the conference on the afternoon of September 21, but that may change.
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