“The occupation of Ukraine is not part of our plans. The purpose of this special operation is to protect those who have been victims of abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years. For this, it is necessary to demilitarize and demilitarize Ukraine,” Nebenzya said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called Russia’s decision a “quiet development” following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order to put nuclear deterrence forces on “special alert” during the emergency session of the UN General Assembly.
On Sunday, Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to put the Russian military’s resistance forces in a special mode of combat duty. “We are facing a tragedy for Ukraine, but also a major regional crisis with potentially devastating effects for all of us,” Guterres said. “Yesterday, the Russian nuclear forces were put on high alert. This is a chilling development. The mere idea of a nuclear conflict is simply unimaginable. No one can justify the use of nuclear weapons.”
On 24 February, Russia recognized the independence of individual regions of Ukraine, after which Western countries imposed strict sanctions on Russia.
On Sunday, the Security Council voted to call an emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
The measure to convene a General Assembly session was adopted by 11 votes in favor, with Russia voting against it, and China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining.
The request to convene an immediate meeting for the assembly comes after Russia on Friday vetoed a draft US-led Security Council resolution on Russia. Since the text worked out on Sunday was procedural, none of the five permanent members of the council could exercise their veto. The measure needed just nine votes in favor to be passed.
Only 10 such emergency special sessions of the General Assembly have been convened since 1950, following the adoption of Resolution 377A(V), widely known as “United for Peace”. (ANI)
First published:February 28, 2022, 10:54 pm
