Genève, First Published Mar 4, 2022, 12:49 AM IST
Geneva / Washington: The United States has said it will not support Ukraine’s demand that Russia be removed from the UN Security Council. Such a move is unacceptable. The United States has rejected a statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
Dimitro Culeba slammed Russia during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, demanding that the warring countries lay down their arms. Ukraine’s foreign minister has called for Russia’s suspension in the wake of Russia’s invasion of its country and the start of a war.
“If you look at international law, Russia’s permanent position on the UN Security Council is illegal,” he said. Russia’s move is unacceptable. Ukraine is defending. We have never had a counter-attack, “said Ukraine’s foreign minister in a video message.
The resolution, which was presented to the UN Security Council on Friday condemning Russia’s occupation of Ukraine, was not passed. The resolution, tabled by the US and Albania, was approved by 11 of the 15 member states, but Russia vetoed it permanently. With this the resolution was not passed. India, UAE and China abstained.
Meanwhile, a resolution calling for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine was passed by a large majority in the UN General Assembly on March 2. The resolution was passed by a vote of 141-5. India abstained this time too.
Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Eritrea opposed the resolution. Apart from India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka abstained. But Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives supported the resolution. Former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Tajikistan also abstained.
This is the fourth time India has withdrawn from the UN vote on Ukraine. India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Thirumurthy has said that India is concerned about the escalating war in Ukraine.
“India also supports the international community’s call for an immediate ceasefire. India stands firm on the policy that problems can only be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. It is hoped that the forthcoming talks between Ukraine and Russia will resolve this. “India has already sent maximum humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medical equipment and medicines,” he said.
As the war entered its second week, Moscow itself confirmed that hundreds of Russian soldiers had been killed. Several Ukrainian citizens were also killed in the various attacks. Several people, including women and children, were injured. In just seven days, more than one million refugees fled Ukraine. The International Court of Justice has said it will consider war crimes charges against Russia.
The European Union (EU) has said it will provide security for Ukrainian migrants. The European Union has also decided to set up a large aid camp in Romania. The decision was taken at a meeting of EU Home Ministers to set up a temporary security system to ensure assistance to those crossing the border.
Accordingly, each citizen of Ukraine will be issued a one-year residence permit and a temporary permit to work and study. This permit must be renewed every six months thereafter. This is the current decision.
Last Updated Mar 4, 2022, 12:49 AM IST