United Nations: With the defeat of the UNSC resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UN Member States will be taking up the issue to the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply.
In a joint statement, delivered by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations on behalf of the 51 nations that voted for the resolution, she said: “We will be taking this matter to the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply and the nations of the world will continue to hold Russia accountable.”
She said the UN SC resolution was to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, to protect civilians, including children, and call for the facilitation of rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need.
“This resolution was vital and straightforward. Fundamentally, it was about whether the countries on the Security Council – charged with maintaining international peace and security – believe in upholding the UN Charter.”
“The UN Charter was written with the express purpose of preventing a war like the one President Putin just started. This war has brought, in just its first days, devastating losses of life – and Russia alone is accountable.”
Terming President Vladimir Putin as “the aggressor” and stressing “there is no middle ground”, she said: “We believe we have a particular responsibility to stand up to this violation of the UN Charter because Russia is a Permanent Member of the Security Council who is culpable.
“Those of us standing here today continue to believe in the Security Council’s solemn duty and highest purpose – to prevent conflict and avert the scourge of war.” She said that Russia abused its power to veto the resolution.
“But Russia cannot veto our voices. Russia cannot veto the Ukrainian people. Russia cannot veto their own people protesting this war in the streets. Russia cannot veto the UN Charter. Russia cannot, and will not, veto accountability.”
The statement was made on behalf of Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The resolution proposed by the US and Albania, with the backing of nearly 60 countries, received 11 votes in favour, in the 15-member Security Council, with Russia, a permanent member, voting against it.
The resolution received three abstentions — from India, UAE, China.
