The UN Security Council on Monday passed a US-drafted resolution urging a “swift end” to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling for a peaceful resolution in line with the principles of the UN Charter. The resolution garnered 10 votes in favor and five abstentions, including from Greece, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and the UK.
While the resolution expressed sorrow over the conflict’s toll, it did not directly address Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leading to criticism from several European nations. The UK and EU members proposed amendments to clarify the nature of the war, such as referring to it as “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation,” but these were not accepted.
Following the vote, UK Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, lamented the failure to incorporate the proposed amendments, stressing that “no peace will be sustainable without Ukraine’s consent.” She reiterated the need for robust security arrangements to ensure Ukraine’s future security.
Slovenia’s UN envoy Samuel Zbogar expressed concern that the resolution fell short of meeting the “minimum requirements” for a just and lasting peace, while Denmark’s Christina Markus Lassen emphasized the need to reject “the false equivalence between aggressor and victim.”
While the resolution reflects a broad international desire for peace, the debate over its wording highlights ongoing tensions regarding the nature of the conflict and the approach to achieving a sustainable resolution.
