UNSC resolution condemning Russia: 3 countries abstained

India voted no on a UN Security Council resolution proposed by the United States which condemned Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine and urged Russian forces withdraw “immediately, completely, and unconditionally.”

The United States and Albania sponsored a draft resolution that’s been supported by Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg, and New Zealand at the United Nations Security Council on Friday.

Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution, with three abstaining, including India.

“India is deeply disturbed by recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence & hostilities. No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said.

 “It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution,” he further said.

Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, used its veto power to block the resolution, as predicted, but western nations claimed the resolution aimed to demonstrate Moscow’s isolation on the international stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.

On the second day, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have continued unabated, with a series of explosions targeting Kyiv, the country’s capital. Ukrainian military are reportedly fighting Russian soldiers close outside the capital city, according to reports. According to the Ukrainian president, 137 people, including civilians, were killed on the first day of the Russian invasion.

On Friday, the second day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the capital city of Kyiv was targeted by multiple missile strikes. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, slammed the strikes, saying the last time Kyiv witnessed something like was in 1941, when the capital city was besieged by Nazis.

Since President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, Russian forces have unleashed a barrage of attacks. Putin has recognised Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine’s two separatist regions, as independent entities.