The head of Portuguese diplomacy, João Gomes Cravinho, said on Thursday that Russia’s isolation at the UN shows that he understands that the war in Ukraine is also contrary to international law and order.
The United Nations Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning Russia’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions after Moscow vetoed a similar stance in the Security Council.
The non-binding resolution was supported by three-quarters of the General Assembly members, or 143 countries, and was rejected by Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua and Syria, with 35 abstentions, including those from China.
“Russian isolation shows that the world understands that the war against Ukraine is also a war against the international rule of law,” said João Gomes Cravinho in a post on the social network Twitter.
The United Nations overwhelmingly condemned Russian annexations and false referendums on Ukrainian soil. The Russian isolation shows that the world understands that the war against Ukraine is also a war against international law and order. pic.twitter.com/bnEXzZo9JI
— Joao Cravinho (@JoaoCravinho) October 13, 2022
Illustrating his statement in the context of the vote on the resolution, the foreign minister noted that “the United Nations overwhelmingly condemned Russian annexations and false referenda on Ukrainian soil”.
Portugal was one of the countries that voted to condemn Russia.
Of the four resolutions passed by the UN since Russian forces invaded the neighboring country on February 24 this year, this was the one that has received the most support from the General Assembly for Ukraine and against Russia.
In the resolution, the General Assembly calls on the international community not to recognize the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporijia and Kherson, announced by Russia at the end of September, and demands that Moscow reverse the decision.
The resolution clearly condemns the “so-called illegal referendums” promoted by Russia and the “attempted illegal annexation”, saying they are invalid under international law.
The General Assembly also declares that Russia’s actions violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and violate the principles of the UN Charter.
He also expressed “its strong support” for the initiatives of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, to defuse the current situation in search of peace through dialogue, negotiation and mediation, while respecting the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.
The annexation of the four Ukrainian regions followed referendums held in each under military occupation.
Russia had already annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, even after a plebiscite held under the same circumstances.
The war in Ukraine, unleashed by Russia, plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
The number of civilian and military casualties is unknown, but several sources, including the UN, have admitted it will be significantly high.
Source: DN
