The draft resolution, which according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria was brought in should be on Wednesday evening (local time) or on the Thursday before the largest U.N.-Committee with its 193 members to be put to the vote.
“Every day of Russia’s war against Ukraine worsens the humanitarian situation,” said the Ukrainian U.N.Ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsia and asked for approval of a humanitarian resolution drafted by his country.
The draft is clearly aimed at Russia and demands, among other things, “an immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular all attacks on civilians and civilian objects”. Moscow must withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine immediately, and attacks on schools and hospitals, among other things, must stop. Also, concern is expressed about a global hunger crisis due to the large share of grain exports from Ukraine. Refugees – especially from third countries – should not be treated racist.
A competing draft resolution from South Africa, which according to previous information should also be voted on and which could cloud the result for the first draft, caused unrest among Western countries. The text is much more neutral and makes no mention of Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine.
However, there were indications that South Africa might still withdraw its text because it did not exercise its right to present the bill.
Western diplomats had hoped to get at least 141 votes in favor, as they did in a resolution condemning aggressive war in early March. Unlike in the more powerful Security Council, a resolution in the General Assembly is not binding under international law.
Source: Nachrichten
