India abstains from voting on Russian resolution in UN
Continuing with its neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, India abstained from voting on a resolution brought by Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (ET). However, the resolution was not adopted by UNSC as it got only two yes votes from China and Russia. India and 12 other UNSC members skipped voting on the resolution.
Why does this story matter?
This is not the first time India has abstained from voting in the UN on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Earlier, India had abstained on voting in the Security Council twice and once in the General Assembly on resolutions on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India has received flak for not condemning Russian actions in Ukraine. Notably, Russia had launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
What did the resolution demand?
The Russian resolution demanded that "civilians, including humanitarian personnel and persons in vulnerable situations, including women and children are fully protected, calls for negotiated ceasefire for enabling safe, rapid, voluntary and unhindered evacuation of civilians, and underscores the need for the parties concerned to agree on humanitarian pauses to this end." However, the resolution had no reference to the invasion.
India skips statement after abstaining
Reportedly, no countries voted against the resolution at the UNSC. After abstaining from voting, other security council members issued statements clarifying their stand. However, India avoided making any statement.
Russia calling for solution of crisis it created: US
The United States said it is "unconscionable" that Russia has the audacity to come up with a resolution asking the international community to solve the humanitarian crisis that Moscow has created. The US said it abstained from voting as "Russia doesn't care about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions...or the millions of lives and dreams the war has shattered." "If they cared, they would stop fighting."
Russia is aggressor, attacker, invader: US
The US termed Russia the "aggressor, the attacker, the invader." Slamming Russia for engaging in a campaign of "brutality against the people of Ukraine," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, "They want us to pass a resolution that doesn't acknowledge their culpability."
What did other countries say?
UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country will not vote for any resolution in the UNSC or General Assembly that doesn't recognize that Russia is the sole cause of the humanitarian catastrophe—and therefore key to ending it. Meanwhile, China—a sole supporter of the resolution—said that the vote in favor was a call to the international community to prioritize the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
