The UN Security Council (UNSC) Sunday resolved by a procedural vote to convene a special emergency session of the 193-member UN General Assembly to consider action regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The session will be held on Monday.
Earlier on Friday, Russia vetoed the US-led draft UNSC resolution which sought to end the crisis in Ukraine. The resolution to hold an emergency session was passed by 11 votes in favor. India, UAE, and China abstained from voting. Russia voted in opposition but could not veto the decision since procedural resolutions preclude the use of a veto.
Only 10 special emergency sessions of the UN General Assembly have been held since they were introduced by the Uniting for Peace resolution in 1950. The last session was convened in 1982 in response to the Syria-Israel conflict. It provides that if the UNSC “fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security . . . the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately.” A special emergency session is to be convened within 24 hours of a request when the General Assembly is not in session.
The General Assembly will likely vote on a resolution similar to the one considered by the UNSC on Friday. Such a resolution, although non-binding, is a representation of the will of the UN membership and is of immense political importance. The UN Secretary General has announced that the UN will launch an appeal to fund its humanitarian operations in Ukraine and $20 million will be released from the UN emergency relief fund.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons and called the decision to hold an emergency session an important step towards holding Russia accountable for its “war of choice.” She said: “By calling for an emergency special session of the General Assembly… [we] have recognised that this is no ordinary moment and that we need to take extraordinary steps to confront this threat to our international system.”
After months of mounting tensions, Russian forces invaded Ukraine from the north, east and south. Russian missiles bombarded cities and military bases. Russia has also seized control of the Chernobyl plant. Air raid warning sirens have been echoing throughout Ukraine forcing Ukrainians to flee to shelters and to borders to escape for safety. Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior has reported 352 civilian casualties in the attacks.
