A United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s “illegal, so-called referenda” in Ukraine, and calling on “all states” in the world to not recognize Russian annexation, failed to pass at the Security Council on Friday after Russia’s veto. Four nations abstained from the vote, despite U.S. exhortations to “stand up and defend our collective beliefs.”
The outcome was similar to one two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, with a slight change in abstentions. China and India abstained in both, as did the United Arab Emirates. This time, the UAE voted in favor of the resolution, with both Brazil and Gabon abstaining.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said before the vote that “if Russia chooses to shield itself from accountability,” the United States would bring the matter before the 193 member nations of the U.N. General Assembly. In March, 141 members voted to demand that Russia stop its Ukraine offensive, while five voted against the resolution and 35 abstained, including many from Africa and the Mideast.
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, also speaking before the Friday vote, said it demonstrated that “some of our colleagues in the council have reached a new low.” Residents of the four Ukrainian regions where referendums were held “do not want to return to Ukraine,” he said. Nebenzya charged the United States, which authored the proposed resolution along with Albania, with “twisting arms” of other countries for support.
The outcome was similar to one two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, with a slight change in abstentions. China and India abstained in both, as did the United Arab Emirates. This time, the UAE voted in favor of the resolution, with both Brazil and Gabon abstaining.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said before the vote that “if Russia chooses to shield itself from accountability,” the United States would bring the matter before the 193 member nations of the U.N. General Assembly. In March, 141 members voted to demand that Russia stop its Ukraine offensive, while five voted against the resolution and 35 abstained, including many from Africa and the Mideast.
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, also speaking before the Friday vote, said it demonstrated that “some of our colleagues in the council have reached a new low.” Residents of the four Ukrainian regions where referendums were held “do not want to return to Ukraine,” he said. Nebenzya charged the United States, which authored the proposed resolution along with Albania, with “twisting arms” of other countries for support.
