U.S.-Russia initiative welcomed by UN, Europe remains skeptical
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, recognized the American resolution regarding the war in Ukraine as the first constructive step towards peace. Nebenzya simultaneously accused Europe of thwarting efforts to achieve peace.
Many of the reports from Russian media are likely untrue. Such reports may be part of an information war from the Russian Federation.
The Russian ambassador expressed satisfaction with the US initiative, which describes the conflict as a "Russian-Ukrainian war" and does not call Russia an aggressor. According to Nebenzya, this is the first Security Council document focusing on the path to peace rather than deepening the conflict. In his statement, he accused Europe of attempting to sabotage talks between Russia and the United States.
Nebenzya argued that Europe, currently undergoing militarization, is the only global actor seeking to prolong the war and is likely to resist any viable initiative aimed at resolving the conflict.
Nebenzya appealed to all who desired lasting peace in Ukraine and said they should not let "the overenthusiastic Kyiv prince and his puppeteers" disrupt efforts made by Russia and the United States. He emphasized that cooperation between these countries is crucial for achieving lasting regional peace.
China on engagement in peace talks
China, which also voted for the American resolution, supported the "agreement between the US and Russia to start peace talks," but noted that all interested parties should be involved in the talks and that peace should be fair.
The most critical of the American Revolution were five European countries (the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Slovenia, and Denmark) that abstained from voting. Regret over the rejection of European amendments — calling the Russian war an invasion and demanding a just peace and respect for Ukraine's territorial integrity — was also expressed by South Korea. However, it ultimately voted for the American document.
Not everyone supported the resolution
French diplomat de Riviere explains that France was "fully committed to peace in Ukraine, we call for comprehensive, just and lasting peace, and certainly not for capitulation of the victim," explaining the lack of support for the American resolution that did not point to the aggressor in the conflict.
"This is why there can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this council refers to this war," he emphasized.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, Slovenia, and Denmark also backed this stance. British Ambassador Barbara Woodward stressed that Russia could bring about peace immediately by halting its aggression and entirely withdrawing its forces from Ukraine.
Resolution adopted by the UN Security Council
Ten out of the 15 countries voted for the resolution, while another five — all European countries — abstained from voting.
The resolution is a short text that only expressed regret over the "tragic loss of life in the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine," does not condemn the Russian invasion, and reiterates that the primary goal of the UN is to maintain international peace and security and to resolve disputes peacefully. It contains only three paragraphs, calling for lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine and a quick resolution of the conflict.
Earlier, the same American draft resolution was amended at the request of European countries, adopting the same amendments that the US vetoed during the Security Council meeting held at 3:00 PM Eastern Time Monday. The General Assembly also adopted a Ukrainian resolution condemning the aggression and calling on Russia to withdraw its forces.
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