The world community is scheduled to vote at the United Nations on Wednesday on Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine. The vote is also seen as a global mood test about Moscow’s war of aggression in the neighboring country. The UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a corresponding resolution in the afternoon (local time) – Thursday night in Europe. This condemns the annexation of Russia and declares it invalid.
In addition, the Kremlin is asked to reverse the incorporation of the partially occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson.
While the decision is expected to be broadly approved and approved by the top UN body, the text will have to compare to two previous results: in March, the 193-member assembly rejected an invasion of Russia with a historic majority of 141 votes. In 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, 100 member states committed to a resolution emphasizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Monday’s procedural votes coincide with diplomats’ assessment that the number of Ukraine supporters will decline from March. At that time, under the impression of the beginning of the war, a different climate prevailed, the “wound was still fresh”, said one diplomat. Today, approval from more than 120 states would be a good result. Wednesday’s resolution, drafted by the European Union representation, will be adopted if it receives at least two-thirds of the votes of all countries that voted “yes” or “no”.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield once again urged member states to uphold international law: “This is not a competition between Russia and the United States. It is not about taking sides,” she said. “It’s about defending the UN Charter.”
Western diplomats stressed that each UN member country must have a vested interest in condemning Russia, lest it become a victim of an illegal annexation by a neighbor. On the other hand, observers have seen war fatigue in several countries, especially in Africa and Latin America, for some time now.