March 17, 2022, 8:55 p.m.
Emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine
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Screenshot from the screen
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine on March 17, 2022.
As a reminder, the UN Security Council is set to vote on a Russian-drafted call for access to aid and protection of civilians in Ukraine, but diplomats say the measure will fail because it does not call for a cessation of hostilities or the withdrawal of Russian troops.
The draft resolution, seen by Reuters, also does not address accountability or recognize Russia's invasion of its neighbor.
The British Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, called these "clear omissions" in a video posted on Twitter on Tuesday and said Russia was "playing a game." She said Britain would not vote for the Russian draft text.
"Their resolution calls on the parties to respect international humanitarian law, but does not mention the fact that Russia is committing war crimes," she said. "It is their invasion and their actions that have led to this humanitarian crisis."
The Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from Russia, China, Britain, France, or the United States. Diplomats said Russia's move would fail, as a majority of the 15 members would likely abstain.
"We are not going to lend credence to Russia's efforts to evade responsibility, accountability and blame for its unprovoked aggression," said Olivia Dalton, spokeswoman for the US mission to the UN.
Russia put forward this text after France and Mexico withdrew their own push for a Council resolution on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as they said Moscow would have vetoed it. Instead, they plan to put it to a vote in the 193-member General Assembly, where no country has a veto.
"We have said from the very beginning that we would be ready to adopt a humanitarian resolution on the situation in Ukraine, if it is not a disguise to blame and shame Russia again," said Russian representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya on Tuesday.
The Security Council resolution drafted by Russia "demands the full protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel and persons in vulnerable situations, including women and children." It also calls for safe and unimpeded access to aid and the safe departure of people from Ukraine.
Read more: CHRONICLE OF THE WAR
