Akm Shehabuddin Kisslu: The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted its first statement expressing “strong support” for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to find a peaceful solution to the “dispute” in Ukraine,
Since Russia’s military action began Feb. 24 in Ukraine, This is the first time Security Council unanimously adopted the statement. The council scheduled a meeting later Friday to adopt the brief statement, which would be the first approved by the U.N.’s most powerful body.
The short statement adopted at a brief meeting Friday does not mention a “war,” “conflict” or “invasion” as many council members call Russia’s ongoing military action, or a “special military operation” as Moscow refers to it. Russia, which holds veto power in the council, has blocked all previous attempts to adopt a statement or resolution.
The statement, drafted by Norway and Mexico, “expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine” and “recalls that all member states have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.”
Security Council statements are agreed upon by consensus as the brief text adopted;
“The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine,” it reads.
“The Security Council recalls that all member states have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
“The Security Council expresses strong support for the efforts of the secretary general in the search for a peaceful solution.”
The statement also asks UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to brief the council again “in due course”.
Mr Guterres welcomed the council’s support on Friday, saying he would “spare no effort to save lives, reduce suffering and find the path of peace”.
During recent visits to Moscow and Kyiv, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the evacuation of civilians, first and foremost from the besieged southeastern port city of Mauripol and its last Ukrainian forces holdout at the Azovstal steel plant where hundreds of civilians are also still living in underground bunkers.
Russia vetoed a draft Security Council resolution on February 25 that would have deplored Moscow’s invasion. China, the UAE and India abstained from the vote.
A council resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Russia, China, France or the UK to pass.
The 193-member UN General Assembly, where no country has a veto, has since overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions, illustrating Russia’s international isolation over Ukraine. Such resolutions are non-binding, but they carry political weight.
