In view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called for a special session of the General Assembly. The decision to bring a US-supported resolution condemning Russian aggression and demanding Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine to the GA was endorsed by 11 members, with India, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) voting no. Russia’s veto was not applicable because this was a procedural vote.
On Monday, the United Nations General Assembly will hold an emergency session. India maintained its largely critical stance on Russia in explaining the vote, which it had taken at the UNSC meeting on Friday. However, focusing on concepts rather than names, India emphasized the need to resume diplomatic relations, the importance of ensuring the safety of its citizens, and the need for easy cross-border mobility as a humanitarian requirement.
TS Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said it was “regrettable” that the situation had deteriorated since the Council last met. Russia’s military attack in Ukraine’s major cities continued over the weekend, while Ukraine’s resistance grew more robust.
