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United Nations, Feb. 16 (AP) The European Union circulated a resolution Wednesday that will be voted on by the United Nations General Assembly on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine next week, calling for a cessation of hostilities and ensuring peace for Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity.” and territorial integrity”.
The 193-member world body has no veto power, so the resolution is certain to be adopted at the conclusion of the General Assembly’s high-level emergency special session on February 23. But the big question is how many upvotes it will get.
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An unauthorized EU diplomat said Ukraine had asked the bloc to draft the resolution in consultation with UN member states to mark the anniversary, with the aim of building strong international support for peace in Ukraine under the UN Charter. speak publicly. The Charter calls for the peaceful settlement of disputes and declares that all states shall refrain from “violating the territorial integrity or political independence of any state by the threat or use of force.”
The UN General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine, as the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto.
While the Assembly’s five previous resolutions on Ukraine were not legally binding — like the Council’s resolution — they were important as a reflection of world opinion.
The first resolution, adopted eight days after the Russian invasion on February 24 last year, called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops. It was adopted by 141 votes to 5, with 35 abstentions.
A second resolution three weeks later blamed Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and called for the protection of civilians, their homes and infrastructure vital to their survival. It was adopted by 140 votes to 5, with 38 abstentions.
A resolution on October 12 condemned Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions and called for its immediate withdrawal. It received the highest number of votes on the five resolutions by a vote of 143 to 5, with 35 abstentions.
Two other resolutions that suspended Russia at the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council and called for Russia to be held accountable for its invasion of Ukraine in violation of international law, including compensation for damage, death and injury, received fewer “yes” votes — 93 votes and 94, respectively.
U.N. diplomats said Ukraine initially considered getting the General Assembly to adopt the 10-point peace plan announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G-20 summit of major economies in November. But that idea was shelved in favor of a broader, less detailed resolution issued on Wednesday.
For example, while the resolution to be voted on stresses the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes committed in Ukraine through “fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the national or international level,” it does not include Zelensky Court calling for special action to prosecute Russia’s war crimes.
The final draft resolution differs slightly from the original draft obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.
It added calls for a “cessation of hostilities” and made a direct reference to the “full-scale invasion of Ukraine” a year ago, reiterating the need for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine “as soon as possible”. In line with the Charter of the United Nations.
The draft calls on U.N. member states and international organizations to “redouble their support for diplomatic efforts” to achieve peace, and supports efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and unnamed countries.
The proposed resolution reiterates the General Assembly’s previous demand that Russia “withdraw immediately, completely and unconditionally all of its military forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.”
It also deplores the “horrible human rights and humanitarian consequences” of Russia’s aggression, including the devastating consequences for civilians of its repeated attacks on critical infrastructure,” and expresses “grave concern over the high number of civilian casualties.” It calls for immediate Stop attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, homes, schools and hospitals. (AP)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the body of content may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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