Friday marks the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned at the UN General Assembly in New York of further escalation and the use of nuclear weapons: “In the past year we have not only seen the suffering and devastation increase, it is also becoming increasingly clear how much worse is everything could be.”
The possible consequences of a conflict spiral are a clear and present danger, Guterres continued Wednesday evening in New York. “Since then we have heard implied threats to use nuclear weapons. The so-called tactical use of nuclear weapons is absolutely unacceptable.” It’s high time to take a step back from the abyss.
UN resolution calls on Russia to withdraw
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba presented a resolution to the largest UN body calling for peace and Moscow’s withdrawal, which will be adopted on Thursday. The draft reaffirms a number of previously agreed positions of the General Assembly, such as Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Kiev and its supporters want to build on similar voting results from last year with more than 140 yes votes – this also aims to counter the impression that parts of the world are war-weary and that support for Kiev is crumbling.
In his speech, Kuleba denounced the mass kidnappings of Ukrainian children through Moscow. Russia is deporting thousands of children to be adopted by Russian families and re-educated as Russians. “This is genocide and we are facing it today.” Moscow recently denied similar allegations. The departure of many Ukrainians to Russia is presented as an escape from the combat zone. The kidnapping of children is also denied by Russia, despite evidence to the contrary. When children are brought to Russia, the reason is often medical treatment or recreation.
German tanks will kill Russians again
Russia’s UN Ambassador Wassili Nebensja accused Germany and the West of similar motives in the conflict in Ukraine as in World War II. “This is a war that, like 80 years ago, involves an insidious and powerful enemy who wants to take over our country and subjugate us,” Nebensya said. The West wants to see the end of Russia. “The aim now is to arm Ukraine and thereby inflict a strategic defeat on my country by dismembering and destroying it,” he added. “The German tanks will kill Russians again.”
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield campaigned for the resolution to be passed: “We have before us a resolution calling upon the nations of the world to support diplomatic efforts for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine,” she said. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell stressed that the war was not a “European affair” – “Nor is it about the West against Russia. No, this illegal war affects everyone: North, South, East and West.”
Austria will be represented at the emergency session by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal. Austria is again calling for an end to Russian aggression, the foreign ministry said. Like every member of the United Nations, Ukraine has the right to a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace”. The “senior participation in the special session by the Secretary-General” is an expression of Austria’s boundless solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
