The blocks before the war in Ukraine are exposed again at the UN

Ago a year ago, when Vladimir Putinmade the televised announcement in which he reported the The start of the war in Ukraine under the euphemism of launching a “special military operation” The symbolism of his challenge to the international order was chosen by choosing the precise moment when the United Nations Security Council held its second meeting in two days to address the crisis that was brewing but was still unsuccessful. n was not believed to have exploded. Since then, in the The UN has staged the fracture of the international community. The limitations of the body to respond to a conflict like this, initiated by a country with the right of veto, have also been highlighted. In the Council, the body that should be the guarantor of peace and security. And at the gates of the first anniversary of the war, everything remains practically the same.

This Wednesday, an emergency session of the General Assembly begins a debate that will end on Wednesday. With the vote this Thursday, or even Friday, on a non-binding resolution , in which the call for the “cessation of hostilities” and Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine. It will be the fourth vote referred to this war that the Assembly welcomes, which brings together 193 countries(although due to their economic problems to pay their debts with the UN, Lebanon and Venezuela will not be able to vote). And eyes are on seeing the final numbers to identify if there have been movements in support, rejection and abstentions.

On March 2 of last year, 141 nations denounced the invasion and called for the withdrawal of troops. A few weeks later, 140 called for humanitarian access and protection of civilians, criticizing Russia. In another vote in April, he lowered his position. The number of votes to request the expulsion of the country from the UN Human Rights Council was raised to 93, after which Moscow became the leader. announced that left the body. And on October 12, 143 countries condemned the “illegal annexation attempt” of occupied regions.

In that last vote, Putin's government only managed to win. This prompted four other countries (Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua and Syria) to join in against the resolution. But another 53, including China and much of the African continent, as well. as representatives of the so-called global South, they abstained.

The text

The resolution has been prepared by Ukraine in He consulted with allies and by this Wednesday he had obtained the sponsorship of at least 68 countries. kyiv abandoned the initial idea of ​​including the 10-point plan proposed in November by President Volodimir Zelensky and accepted the proposal. In search of gaining support to simplify the text, which has ended up urging Moscow to do so. to “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within itsinternationally recognized borders& rdquor ;, which include the territories that Moscow is part of. it claims to have annexed. It also reaffirms the UN's commitment to “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity” Ukraine.

The resolution also calls for a “cessation of hostilities,”, the expression that has ended up being chosen instead of “stop the fire”. An attempt has been made to provide the language with a more lasting background and include a concept that could lead to the start of negotiations, and the text also stresses the need to achieve, “as soon as possible, a comprehensive peace, lasting fair in Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter”, calling on all member countries and international organizations to “redouble efforts” to achieve this.

Although those calls for peaceand negotiation are one of the claims made by the Global South, nothing has moved the government of Vladimir Putin one iota. According to a letter he sent to Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, calling on them to oppose the resolution, told other member countries on Monday, Moscow's position was raised. is that “even the eventual cessation of hostilitiesWithout a clear incentive for meaningful negotiations, other than a rectification of the issues that led to the crisis, it will not bring success. a lasting solution”. And in his letter, to which Reuters has had access, Nebenzia denounced the crime. He described the text as “unbalanced and anti-Russian”, criticizing that it does not make direct mention of “dialogue or negotiations”.

Humanitarian consequences

The resolution deplores “the terrible humanitarian and human rights consequences of the aggression against Ukraine”, specifically pointing to “continued attacks on infrastructure” and highlighting the “devastating consequences for the civilian population”. Urges full compliance with international humanitarian lawand urges global cooperation “in a spirit of solidarity to address the global impact of war on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear safety”.

It is in these areas where the UN has been most effective in this year of war. Once again, the organization has been fundamental in tasks such as humanitarian assistance both to 18 million Ukrainians in need in the country and to the >6.5 million internally displaced persons and eight million refugees. It has also played a vital role in diplomatic negotiations to mitigate the effects of the war, such as the blow to the grain and fertilizer movement and has continued to help countries and populations impacted around the world.

Speeches and China 

But the war continues, and theThe Security Council, with an outdated structure that gives Russia, China, the United States, France and the United Kingdom the right to veto, remains incapacitated to act. On Friday, the day of the exact anniversary, the ceremony will be held. A ministerial meeting was held in the Council, but it can be taken for granted that nothing concrete will come of it. from there, beyond that. to listen to speeches, which will open with one by the Secretary General Antònio Guterres.

The presentation “is also expected in the next few days ;as” of a “position paper” What China has prepared about the war, according to what China said. on Tuesday the ambassador of Beijing, Zhan Jung. It won't be. a peace plan, according to what was underlined by the president. the diplomatic, but rather a text that “will primarily reflect the China's consistent positions on this issue & rdquor ;. He will emphasize, as he declared, “respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries” so such as the need for nations to “accommodatesecurity concerns” from other countries. “Mainly we will ask for peace, dialogue and a peaceful agreement”, he said.