UN unloads on isolated Russia for Ukraine invasion
On Monday, Russia was almost completely isolated at the United Nations as member states condemned Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres chastised Russia for its actions, calling its decision to raise the alert level on its nuclear arsenal a “chilling development.”
“This escalation of violence, which results in civilian deaths, including children, is wholly unacceptable.” Enough already! “The fighting in Ukraine must stop,” Guterres said in his opening remarks to a rare special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly that even a Russian veto could not prevent. Guterres urged Moscow to withdraw its troops, calling Russia’s nuclear posturing “simply inconceivable,” adding that “nothing can justify the use of nuclear weapons.”
In Washington, the White House stated that there is “no reason to change” the country’s nuclear alert levels at this time, attempting to ignore the nuclear-baiting while escalating sanctions. The Biden administration prepared additional financial sanctions against Russian entities and its central bank, and large private banks and equity firms joined the strike against Moscow for what is widely regarded as a flagrant invasion.
Few believed Russia’s narrative that it was provoked into action by Ukrainian excesses against its people in the Donbas region, among other long-standing grievances, including security concerns as Nato and the EU surrounded it. Delegates speaking on behalf of the EU and Nordic countries all chastised Moscow for opting for military options, with Switzerland breaking its historically neutral status to join the sanctions against Russia. Former Soviet bloc countries, such as Poland and the Czech Republic, have also been harshly critical of Moscow.
China was the only country that offered some support to Russia (at the time of writing; India had not spoken yet), urging de-escalation and dialogue while stating that the “legitimate security concerns of all countries, including Russia,” must be recognised. In a clear smackdown of Nato, China’s UN envoy also criticised the continuing Cold War mentality of forming blocs and alliances.
The General Assembly resolution condemning Russia is expected to receive overwhelming support, but it will be largely symbolic and ineffective.
On a day of rapid geopolitical developments, Russia’s invasion of Moscow, which its officials insisted was not intended to be a permanent occupation, pushed Ukraine to apply for European Union membership. Videos have emerged of Ukraine’s besieged President Volodymyr Zelensky signing the application.
The Russian action also caused Germany and Japan, US allies who were on the opposing side during WWII and whose defeat resulted in demilitarisation in exchange for US security guarantees, to indicate that they would not increase their defence budgets.
