UN Makes a Decision for War in Ukraine

The General Assembly is scheduled to begin reviewing two rival resolutions Wednesday morning, one supported by Ukraine and Western countries, which makes it clear that Russia is responsible for the growing humanitarian crisis and the other sponsored by South Africa that does not mention Russia.

The Security Council will vote on the third resolution, which is sponsored by Russia and widely criticised for not referring to the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia had cancelled a vote in the council last Friday after diplomats predicted it would be largely defeated, with many abstentions and very few pro votes when at least nine are needed for approval along with no veto.

Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Poliansky, told reporters Tuesday that Russia had now called for a vote Wednesday. He was scheduled to hold after the planned Security Council meeting Wednesday morning for his co-operation with the Arab League.

Polyansky said that if Western countries do not support the Russian resolution, this would be “a reflection of their hypocrisy” and refusal to support a mere humanitarian measure “without any politicisation”, just like other humanitarian resolutions adopted by the 15-member council.

Russia has begun its invasion of Ukraine on February 24th.

So far, war in Ukraine has caused millions of refugees.

From the start of the war until midnight on March 19th, the UN High Commissioner's Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) registered 902 civilians killed and 1,459 injured.

Ukrainian officials say thousands of civilians have been killed.

Ukraine's Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday that 112 children have been killed since the start of fighting between more than 140 children have been injured.

A pronounced humanitarian crisis is currently developing in the port-town of Marioupolis, where over 200,000 civilians are estimated to be blocked without water, electricity and food supplies. / REL/