India abstains from backing UNGA vote against Russia’s Ukraine invasion

As reported by news agency PTI, India has refused to back a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly UNGA that urged Russia to immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorized forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The resolution titled ‘Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant’ demanded that Russia “immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

To guarantee the safety and security of the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, it was also required that Russia promptly remove all unauthorized people, including military personnel, and hand over complete control of the facility to the sovereign and capable authority of Ukraine. It demanded the “immediate cessation of the attacks” by Russia on Ukraine’s vital energy infrastructure, raising the possibility of a nuclear mishap or accident at any of the country’s nuclear plants.

UNGA Resolution on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

It demanded that Moscow grant the International Atomic Energy Agency Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhia prompt and complete access to all areas of the plant that are crucial for nuclear safety and security until it returns full control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant to the sovereign and capable authorities of Ukraine. This will enable the Agency to report comprehensively on the site’s nuclear safety and security situation.

Ukraine presented the draft resolution, which was supported by more than 50 members, including the US, France, and Germany. Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Moscow, the resolution urging that Russia cease its attack in Ukraine was passed. PM Modi brought up the effects of the violence in Ukraine during their discussions, including the deaths of children during the two-year battle.

Voting Dynamics and Abstentions

Based on the resolution’s passage, Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative, blasted the UN General Assembly for passing several politicized and non-consensual resolutions that he said did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground.

“Make no mistake: votes in favor of today’s draft will be regarded by Kyiv, Washington, Brussels, and London as evidence of support for their policy of further escalating the Ukrainian conflict to the detriment of steps taken by a sensible part of the international community to find a peaceful, sustainable and long-term solution to the conflict,” he said.

The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on Thursday with 99 votes in favor, nine against, and 60 abstentions, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Those voting against the resolution included Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Russia and Syria.

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