Russia-proposed humanitarian resolution on Ukraine fails in Security Council
United Nations, Mar 23 (EFE).- A Russian-proposed resolution on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine failed on Wednesday in the United Nations Security Council due to a lack of necessary “yes” votes.
Only Russia and China voted in favor of the text while the other 13 Council members abstained, so the document did not receive the necessary minimum of nine votes in favor.
The resolution, which did not mention the war in Ukraine nor Moscow’s role in it, was denounced by the United States and its allies as a Russian ploy to justify its invasion.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was unacceptable for Moscow to present a resolution calling on the international community to resolve a humanitarian crisis that Russia alone created.
There is a simple solution to the humanitarian crisis, according to France’s permanent representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, who said Russia merely needs to halt its offensive and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
Several European countries slammed the Russian resolution as a ploy and a mockery.
That document demands respect for “humanitarian principles,” condemns attacks against civilians and calls for a negotiated cease-fire but fails to make any reference to the invasion of Ukraine nor to the fact that, as corroborated by the UN, Russian troops have carried out the majority of the attacks on civilians.
Moscow circulated its proposal in response to an initiative by France and Mexico, which sought approval for a resolution on Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis that held Russia directly responsible.
The French and Mexican delegations, however, concluded after several rounds of negotiations that the objections of veto-wielding Russia would make it impossible to move the resolution forward.
They therefore decided to take their proposal to the UN General Assembly, which is now debating the text and will likely vote on it on Thursday. EFE
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