Russia vetoes the resolution that would have condemned the annexation of Ukrainian territories

Russia has vetoed in the Security Council a resolution, approved by ten votes* of the 15 members that compose it, in which it was declared that the annexation of certain parts of Ukraine by Russia itself is a violation of the United Nations Charter States and in which their immediate withdrawal to internationally recognized borders was demanded.

Specifically, the resolution referred to the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia announced this Friday by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The resolution, which had four abstentions, decided that the Russian Federation should “immediately cease its large-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine” and refrain “from any other threat or illegal use of force against any member state.”

Sponsored by the United States and Albania, the resolution condemned “the organization by the Russian Federation of so-called illegal referendums” in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia “regions situated within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine” and with the that Putin has announced the annexation.

The resolution called on Russia to “immediately and unconditionally reverse its decision.” Furthermore, it decided that “the Russian Federation will immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, which includes the regions targeted by so-called illegal referendums, to allow a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine through political dialogue, negotiation, mediation or other peaceful means”.

United Nations Charter

The text of the ill-fated resolution recalled “the obligation of all States, under Article 2 of the Charter, to refrain, in their international relations, from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or independence policy of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations”.

It also alluded to the obligation of States “to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a way that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.”

The Council’s resolution was in line with what was expressed on Thursday by the UN Secretary General who, in statements to the press, said that Russia’s announcement of the annexation of Ukraine’s territories has no legal value, deserves condemnation and is dangerous.

He also appealed to all states, international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize any alteration of the status of Ukraine’s regions.

Assuring that he wanted to be very clear, António Guterres pointed out that the annexation decision “cannot be reconciled” with the international legal framework. “It goes against everything the international community should stand for. It disregards the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”

United States in Defense of Sacred Principles

Before the vote, the US ambassador, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said the referendums were a predetermined “farce” in Moscow, “held behind the barrel of Russian guns.”

“We all have an interest in upholding the sacred principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in upholding peace in our modern world,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the ambassadors.

“All of us understand the implications for our own borders, our own economies and our own countries, if these principles are set aside,” he added.

And then he said that what is at stake is “our collective security, our collective responsibility to maintain international peace and security.”

Russia: There is no going back

Responding for Russia, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya accused the drafters of the resolution of a “low-grade provocation” to force his country to use its veto.

“Such openly hostile actions by the West are a refusal to engage and cooperate within the Council, a rejection of the practices and experience gained over many years,” he added.

He also said there had been “overwhelming” support for annexation from residents in the four regions now claimed by Russia. “Residents of these regions do not want to return to Ukraine. They have made an informed and free choice, in favor of our country.”

He said that the result of the so-called referendums had been recognized by international observers, and now, after being endorsed by the Russian Parliament, and by presidential decrees, “there will be no going back, as today’s draft resolution tried to impose.”

*Voting result:

• In favour: Albania, United Arab Emirates, United States, France, Ghana, Great Britain, Ireland, Kenya, Norway, Mexico,

• Abstaining: Brazil, China, Gabon, India.

• Against: Russian Federation.