Last year in New York, the international community sent out a strong signal against Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. On the second anniversary, the mood has changed.
Two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, numerous foreign ministers want to send a signal to Moscow today at the United Nations in New York. Germany will be represented by chief diplomat Annalena Baerbock at the high-level events of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council on the Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also expected.
Unlike last year, there will be no vote on a resolution against Russia in the General Assembly. In February 2023, 141 of the 193 member states voted for a resolution that called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops – a historically clear result. A new sign of strength is not expected this year – also because that could backfire.
The mood has changed in the past year
Diplomats in New York explain that the mood has changed since last year. On the one hand, this has to do with Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, which has attracted a lot of attention. On the other hand, some Ukrainian countries resent their voting behavior in the General Assembly regarding Gaza: In December, Kiev abstained when the largest UN body voted on a draft resolution for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
According to UN expert Richard Gowan from the Crisis Group think tank, there is also frustration towards the West: “Many non-Western UN members who were previously prepared to give Ukraine their vote at the United Nations have signaled that that they are very disappointed that the US and some European powers have not reciprocated on Gaza.” In any case, a number of states from the so-called Global South have been increasingly tired of war for some time and would like more attention to their problems.
Baerbock comes from the G20 foreign ministers meeting
Barbock is traveling to New York from the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro. She also wants to meet with former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna there. Colonna leads an independent group of experts examining Israel’s allegations that the UN Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA) is close to Hamas. During her time as Foreign Minister, Baerbock traveled to New York several times in connection with the Ukraine conflict. She will speak for the third time in front of the General Assembly on Friday and for the sixth time in the UN Security Council.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
