Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Tuesday to “methodically” continue his offensive in Ukraine, in a speech with anti-Western rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War era. Its ambassador to the UN, Vassili Nebenzia, also attacked Westerners on the platform of the general assembly. “In their desire to inflict defeat on Russia in any way possible, it is not only Ukraine they can sacrifice, they are ready to plunge the whole world into the abyss of war,” said he accused.
This war is not a question of “the West against Russia”, replied the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. “This illegal war concerns everyone: North, South, East and West,” he insisted. In this context, China, which, like India, abstained in the UN votes on Ukraine, has indicated that it wants to present a proposal to find a “political solution” to the war. A vision exposed to Russia on Wednesday by the head of Chinese diplomacy, according to Moscow.
The draft general assembly resolution further calls for “prosecuting” nationally and internationally to hold perpetrators of crimes committed in Ukraine “accountable for their actions.” But it does not refer specifically to a special court demanded by kyiv to try those responsible for the Russian aggression. While a resolution to this effect could be presented later this year, the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, has again pleaded for its creation.
“We’re not the only ones who need it, it’s for everyone. So that it can’t happen again,” she said in a video released at a special UN event on human rights abuses in her country.
The three resolutions related to the Russian aggression voted by the general assembly for a year collected between 140 and 143 votes for, 5 countries systematically voting against (Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea) and less than 40 abstaining. A slightly different fourth in April, which suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council, was less consensual, with 93 votes in favor, 24 against and 58 abstentions.
