United Nations, Feb 24 (EFE). – The United Nations Security Council approved on Monday a resolution on Ukraine introduced by the United States on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, previously rejected by the General Assembly, without mentioning Russia.
The US resolution ed with ten votes in favor, including Russia, China, and the African and Asian countries, while the five European countries abstained, including and the United Kingdom, which did not use their veto power.
The resolution mentions “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia,” but never mentions Moscow’s aggression.
Monday’s Security Council session was preceded by strong speeches from and the UK on the need to distinguish between the aggressor and the aggrieved in Ukraine, and on the need for the resolution to reflect respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, but in the end, both countries abstained, as did Denmark, Slovenia, and Greece.
The approval in the Security Council compensated for the defeat in the General Assembly, where other countries introduced numerous pro-Ukraine amendments.
The US resolution was barely negotiated among the fifteen Council when it was announced on Friday night.
and the UK had asked for time until Tuesday to negotiate further amendments, but US diplomats refused outright.
Monday’s events once again highlighted the differences between the United States and its former European allies, with whom it is already at odds over tariffs, President Donald Trump’s comments on Greenland, and Washington’s political interference in several European countries.
In 2022 and 2023, the votes in favor of Ukraine were overwhelming, both times reaching 141 votes in favor (out of 193 UN ); however, Monday’s vote showed for Ukraine is wavering outside the European Union, where there are also pro-Russian dissenters such as Hungary.
It is unclear what the vote in the Council will mean, since Council resolutions are binding, unlike those of the Assembly, which are only symbolic. EFE
fjo/mcd
