NEW YORK, NY – [UN] – GNUSA/ Revekka Papadopoulou
[Photos: GANP/ DIMITRIS PANAGOS]
Two distinct but competing resolutions on Ukraine were adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 24 on this third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling for peace and an end to the conflict.
The General Assembly first adopted a Ukraine-drafted resolution titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”. The resolution that was co-sponsored by a host of European countries received 93 votes in favor, 18 against and 65 abstentions. The US voted against, alongside Russia, marking a major shift of its position on the conflict and previous votes.
Addressing the General Assembly before the vote, Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa presented the draft resolution and urged delegates to remain faithful to the UN Charter.
Additionally, the General Assembly adopted (93 in favor, eight against and 73 abstentions) the US version titled “The path to peace” as amended to include European Union proposals, which the Assembly also agreed to with 60 in favor, 18 against and 81 abstentions.
The US voted against the amendments and abstained on its own resolution.
The draft resolution was presented by US Ambassador Dorothy Shea who noted that “as we gather today on this third anniversary, what we need is a resolution marking the commitment from all UN Member States to bring a durable end to the war. The draft resolution submitted by the United States makes this very point”.
There were three proposed amendments to the United States draft resolution. Two European Union-drafted amendments were adopted: one adding “Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, extending to its territorial waters”, and another replacing lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation” with “just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States”.
An amendment proposed by Russia to include “addressing its root causes” after “a swift end to the conflict” was rejected (31 in favor, 71 against and 59 abstentions).
In his intervention at the 20th plenary meeting of the Eleventh Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly on Ukraine, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasized Greece’s commitment to international law, the UN Charter, and the respect of international treaties that define borders between states.
“Therefore, we condemn in the strongest terms, any breach of international peace and security effected through military action by any state, against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of any other state”, he said.
Gerapetritis noted that Greece’s stance has been very clear from the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022. “We have consistently supported all previous calls to put an end to the war in Ukraine, welcomed thousands of refugees from the war-torn country and worked together with other nations to promote relevant UNGA resolutions”.
Once again, he called for the cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution, adding that what is needed more is “mostly a comprehensive and lasting settlement through inclusive diplomacy based on the UN Charter and international law. We also need an agreement that will guarantee and act in a deterring and preventive way in the years to come”.
