The UN is again speaking out against the Ukraine war.
The vote is a success with a taste.
An impotent Security Council and a China plan spoil the joy.
New York – On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, large parts of the world community are sending a clear signal in the direction of Moscow: the UN General Assembly passed a resolution tabled by Germany, among others, with a large majority.
She demands a peace solution and a Russian troop withdrawal.
The vote shows that a large majority supports Ukraine.
The few dissenting votes were predictable.
However, the focus is on a country that abstained from the vote: China
After abstention at United Nations: China presents twelve-point paper
China's behavior had been followed with great interest.
Its representative Dai Bing took a decidedly neutral position.
He appealed to both Kiev and Moscow to stop fighting and start peace negotiations.
On Friday, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing then published a twelve-point paper entitled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis".
"All parties should support Russia and Ukraine to work in the same direction and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible," says the paper, which has been awaited for days.
The document strengthens Russia's back - and exposes Beijing's double game.
The proposals are a long way from a concrete “peace plan” as some had hoped for.
Instead, the document only summarizes positions that have been known for a long time:
respect for the sovereignty of all countries,
Moving away from the Cold War mentality
cessation of hostilities,
resumption of peace talks,
settlement of the humanitarian crisis,
protection of civilians and prisoners of war,
safety of nuclear power plants,
reducing strategic risks,
facilitating grain exports,
ending unilateral sanctions,
stabilization of industrial and supply chains,
Promotion of post-conflict reconstruction.
From Belarus to North Korea: Six countries on Russia's side
Just before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, 141 of the 193 UN member states voted in favor of the peace resolution at the UN special session.
It calls for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in Ukraine.
Moscow is being asked to withdraw all of its troops “immediately, completely and unconditionally”.
Seven states, including Russia, voted against the text, 32 states abstained.
The dissenting votes at a glance:
Russia
Belarus
Eritrea
mali
Nicaragua
North Korea
Syria
The lessons of the UN vote: Clear Russia scolding with aftertaste
The voting behavior reveals two aspects.
First: The West stands together.
Above all, countries from the Global South such as Angola, Bolivia and Gabon or ex-Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan abstained.
At the same time, the majority of Africa and Asia supported the resolution.
In addition, Russia's partners such as South Africa and India refused to vote.
However: BRICS state Brazil under new President Lula voted against Russia.
And secondly, contrary to statements from the Kremlin, Russia has not been able to expand its influence in the world community.
Contrary to what is being propagated by the largest country on earth, the anti-war alliance is by no means crumbling.
Russia is supported by only the usual suspects, the resolution that has now been passed has a similar number of pro votes as the first one in March 2022. In the previous votes on the invasion of Ukraine and on the annexations that violate international law, five countries voted against each: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and once Eritrea and Nicaragua.
Mali is new to the circle of supporters.
A harshly autocratic country in which Russian soldiers have been involved in the war for years.
The Wagner group is also active there.
The big but of the UN resolution: the impotent Security Council
German politicians like Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) want the vote to be understood as a clear signal against Vladimir Putin's Russia.
It may indeed be, but in fact it lacks the political clout.
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141 countries voted against Russia on Thursday evening.
© IMAGO/John Angelillo
Because the UN resolution is not binding, like all declarations of the General Assembly.
That would only be a vote in the Security Council.
There, the five permanent members have a right of veto, which they can use to block corresponding votes.
In addition to France, Great Britain, China and the USA, Russia also sits on the committee.
The UN Security Council has been a toothless tiger since the start of the Ukraine war.
Regardless of how many countries vote against Russia in the UN General Assembly.
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