U.N. General Assembly again overwhelmingly isolates Russia over Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS, March 24 (Reuters) – Virtually three-quarters of the U.N. Common Assembly demanded support entry and civilian protection in Ukraine on Thursday, and criticized Russia for making a “dire” humanitarian problem after Moscow invaded its neighbor a person thirty day period in the past.

It is the 2nd time the 193-member Normal Assembly has overwhelmingly isolated Russia more than what Moscow calls a “unique armed service procedure” that is claims aims to demolish Ukraine’s armed forces infrastructure.

U.N. Secretary-Standard Antonio Guterres has blasted Russia’s “absurd war.” Thousands of men and women have been killed in Ukraine, tens of millions manufactured refugees, and metropolitan areas pulverized in the past month. read much more

The resolution adopted on Thursday, which was drafted by Ukraine and allies, gained 140 votes in favor and five votes against – Russia, Syria, North Korean, Eritrea and Belarus – while 38 international locations, which include China, abstained.

Common Assembly resolutions are nonbinding, but they have political pounds. There was a spherical of applause in the corridor right after the adoption on Thursday.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described the resolution adopted on Thursday as a “pseudo humanitarian draft” that took a “1-sided check out of the problem.” He once more accused Western countries of a marketing campaign of “unprecedented tension” to get votes, a assert that the United States has rejected.

Ukraine and its allies had been seeking to match or enhance on guidance been given for a March 2 Typical Assembly resolution that deplored Russia’s “aggression” and demanded it withdraw its troops. That acquired 141 certainly votes, the exact same 5 no votes, whilst 35 states – which includes China – abstained. read through far more

‘ASTOUNDING SUCCESS’

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield described the vote on Thursday as an “astounding results,” telling reporters: “There is certainly actually no change concerning 141 and 140.”

The resolution adopted on Thursday calls for the protection of civilians, health care personnel, help workers, journalists, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure. It also needs an conclude to the siege of metropolitan areas, in unique Mariupol.

Ukraine and Western allies have accused Moscow of attacking civilians indiscriminately. Moscow denies attacking civilians.

The resolution echoes the March 2 Typical Assembly text by yet again demanding that Moscow halt preventing and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

South Africa experienced proposed a rival draft resolution that targeted on the humanitarian scenario and did not point out Russia. Russia appealed for countries to support that text.

The Basic Assembly determined not to act on the South African draft just after Ukraine referred to as a vote less than a rule masking draft resolutions on the identical concern.

The Typical Assembly vote arrived a single working day after a Russian-drafted resolution calling for help access and civilian security in Ukraine – and not mentioning Moscow’s function – failed at the U.N. Safety Council, with only Russia and China voting indeed and the remaining 13 customers abstaining. read through a lot more

The Russian Safety Council draft was extremely equivalent to the text place forward in the General Assembly by South Africa.

Reporting by Michelle Nichols
Enhancing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell

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