Status: 03/01/2022 04:00 a.m
The war in Ukraine is also putting the United Nations into crisis mode. Security Council and General Assembly meet. The atmosphere is tense.
Coincidentally or not, the news reached Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebensia by phone during his own press conference. He just got hot news. The USA had launched another hostile action against the Russian UN mission: Twelve employees from the Russian embassy were expelled on March 7th
By doing so, Nebensja said the United States was “grossly violating its obligations under the host country agreement.” But shortly afterwards, the deputy American ambassador to the UN, Richard Mills, let the Security Council know that they were spies.
“The 12 diplomats were engaged in activities that were not consistent with their duties and responsibilities. They were asked to leave the country so they would not endanger our national security.” Their expulsion had been prepared for months, Mills said at the meeting, which was actually about humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine.
Rapidly increasing exodus
UN emergency aid coordinator Martin Griffiths described the situation for civilians in the crisis country as threatening: “As we all feared, the civilians are paying the price. The number of dead and the damage to civilian infrastructure is alarming after a few days.”
500,000 people have already fled to neighboring countries, said the head of the UN refugee agency Filipo Grandi. “They need protection and security. But also shelter, food, hygiene items and other things.”
If the fighting is not stopped quickly, his organization expects up to four million refugees in Ukraine within the coming days and weeks. He has experience with refugee crises for almost 40 years – rarely seen such a rapidly increasing exodus of people. It is “the largest in Europe since the Balkan wars”.
“Enough is enough”
In this regard, Grandi called on Ukraine’s neighboring countries to help. The emergency meeting had been convened at the request of France. A resolution is due to be passed there today calling for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional access for humanitarian aid.
“Enough is enough,” said UN chief Antonio Guterres at the parallel emergency session of the UN General Assembly. “The escalating violence that is responsible for the dead of civilians – including children – is unacceptable.”
He hopes that the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will lead to a ceasefire and open the way to a diplomatic solution. The fact that Russia has put its nuclear weapons on increased readiness is alarming:
“It’s a frightening development,” Guterres said. “The idea of nuclear war is incomprehensible. Nothing can justify the use of nuclear weapons.”
Baerbock’s first speech to the General Assembly
Western countries hope that as many of the 193 member countries as possible will condemn Russia’s war of aggression during the emergency session. They should vote on a corresponding resolution by Wednesday if possible. Until then, all members have the opportunity to comment on the war.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is also expected in New York today. She will give a speech to the UN General Assembly there for the first time.