United Nations: Supporters of Ukraine have circulated a proposed resolution for adoption by the 193-member UN General Assembly on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of their tiny neighbor that would ensure Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and peace”. underlines the need to do so.” territorial integrity.”
The draft, obtained Friday by The Associated Press, is entitled “Theories of a Comprehensive, Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine.”
The proposed resolution is broader and less detailed than the 10-point peace plan announced by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at a November summit of the Group of 20 major economies. UN diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said this was a deliberate decision by Ukraine and its supporters to try to garner maximum support for a vote, as discussions have been private.
General Assembly spokeswoman Paulina Kubic said on Friday that a reactivated emergency session of the General Assembly on Ukraine would begin on the afternoon of February 22. Dozens of speeches are expected to continue until February 23 and voting is expected to take place late that day.
Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister said last month that Zelensky wanted to come to the United Nations for the anniversary, but diplomats said hopes of a major new Russian offensive could keep him at home.
The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine as the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed by Russia’s veto power. Unlike the Council, the Assembly has no veto, but while its previous five resolutions on Ukraine are important as a reflection of world opinion, they are not legally binding.
The Security Council will hold a ministerial meeting on 24 February, the anniversary of the attack. Russian and Ukrainian diplomats will be at the same table, as they have been in dozens of meetings since the invasion – but with no outcome.
Diplomats said the Ukrainian-backed draft resolution for the anniversary was circulated Thursday night to all UN member states except Russia and its ally Belarus, and talks on the text began Friday afternoon.
It underscored the need to reach “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine “as soon as possible” in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The Charter states that all member states of the United Nations “shall refrain in their international relations from the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” and to settle disputes by peaceful means.
The draft calls on UN member states and international organizations to “redouble support for diplomatic efforts” to achieve peace on those terms.
The proposed resolution reiterates the General Assembly’s previous demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces” from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. And it reaffirms that any territory acquired by threat or use of force shall not be considered legal.
The draft calls for all prisoners of war, captives and internees to be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and for the “full exchange of prisoners of war”, the release of those unlawfully detained, “and the release of all internees and demand for the return of the citizens. forcibly relocated and deported, including children.
The proposed resolution urges all countries to “cooperate in a spirit of solidarity to address the global impact of war on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear safety and security.”
It would end “the grave human rights and humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine, including continued attacks against critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians.” And it will call for full adherence to international humanitarian law on the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Zelensky’s 10-point plan is far more specific, including setting up a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes, building a Euro-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restoring Ukraine’s damaged power structure, and This includes ensuring security around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
A resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 12 October condemning Russia’s “illegal annexation” of four regions of Ukraine and demanding its immediate reversal received the most votes of the five resolutions – 143–5 with 35 voting.
The first resolution adopted by the assembly on March 2, 2022, a few days after the invasion, called for an immediate Russian ceasefire, the withdrawal of all its troops and the protection of all civilians, and received a strong vote – 141–5 with 35 abstentions. . Three weeks later, on 24 March, the assembly voted 38 on a resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis and urging an immediate ceasefire and protection for millions of civilians and the homes, schools and hospitals vital to their survival. With the poll voted 140-5. ,
But the assembly voted by a narrow margin on April 7 to suspend Russia from the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva, over allegations that Russian troops in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the United States and Ukraine accused of war. Where is the crime? That vote was 93–24 with 58 abstentions.
And its final resolution, adopted on 14 November, was to hold Russia accountable for violating international law by invading Ukraine, including paying reparations for the extensive damage caused to the country, and for Ukrainians killed and wounded during the war. was approved by an even vote – 94 -14 with 73 abstentions.