The United Nations reiterated on Tuesday its support for “the territorial integrity of Ukraine” within its “recognized borders” during a Security Council meeting on the annexation “referendums” in Ukraine that the United States wants to see condemned by a resolution.
“Let me repeat that the United Nations remains fully committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders,” Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said at the start of this meeting.
Speaking by video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, like many members of the Security Council, once again denounced “parodies of referendums.”
“They are a cynical attempt to force Ukrainian men from the occupied territories in Ukraine to mobilize in the Russian army to send them to fight against their homeland,” he said, also believing that Russia’s recognition of these “pseudo-referendums” means “that we don’t have to discuss with the current Russian president.”
“A clear signal is needed from every country in the world,” he added. “I believe in your ability to act.”
The United States and Albania will propose a resolution
However, there is no chance that the Security Council, in which Russia has the right of veto, will reach a common position.
However, the United States, together with Albania, “will put on the table a resolution condemning the fake referendums, asking member states not to recognize any modified status of Ukraine, and demanding that Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine,” the ambassador said. American Linda Thomas. Greenfield said.
And if Russia uses its veto “to protect itself”, “then we will look for the General Assembly to send an unequivocal message to Moscow”, he added, telling the press that this vote could take place at the end of the week or at the beginning of the next week.
After the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is the General Assembly that brings together the 193 member states of the UN and where none of them has the right to veto, which had voted in March and April several resolutions condemning Moscow.
China upholds “territorial integrity of all countries”
While Beijing’s position is being carefully considered, Ambassador Zhang Jun said “China has taken note of the latest developments in the situation in Ukraine.”
“Our position” is “clear and consistent, that is to say that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” he added.
China is officially neutral but is sometimes accused by Westerners of being too accommodating to Russia, although US officials expressed tempered hopes after remarks from Beijing last week during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week. Especially after a meeting between the heads of Chinese and Ukrainian diplomacy in New York where Wang Yi had already called to respect “the territorial integrity of all countries.”
The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, assuring that the “referendums” had been “transparent”, denounced the “outburst” and the “propaganda” of the West whose sole objective, according to him, is to “bleed white Russia” in order to “subdue at his own will.”
Source: BFM TV
