On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly held a vote on a resolution demanding that Russia immediately stop its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw its forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The resolution received 99 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 60 abstentions.
India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka were among the countries that abstained from voting. Those voting against the resolution included Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.
The resolution, titled “Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” called for Russia to cease its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw its military forces unconditionally. It specifically demanded that Russia withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and return control to Ukraine to ensure its safety and security. Additionally, the resolution urged Russia to stop attacking Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, which could lead to a nuclear accident.
The draft resolution was introduced by Ukraine and sponsored by over 50 member states, including France, Germany, and the United States. It also called upon Russia to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with full access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to ensure nuclear safety and security.
Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative, Dmitry Polyanskiy, criticized the resolution, stating that the General Assembly has adopted many non-consensual and politicized documents. He argued that votes in favor of the resolution would be seen by Kyiv, Washington, Brussels, and London as support for escalating the conflict, rather than finding a peaceful solution.
The resolution reflects the international community’s concerns over the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Despite the abstentions and votes against it, the resolution highlights the urgent need for action to prevent a potential nuclear disaster in the region.
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