St Vincent and the Grenadines voted in favour of a UN resolution denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution.
On Friday 25 February, the UNSC voted on a resolution condemning Russia’s action; Russia vetoed the resolution.
St Vincent’s Ambassador H.E. Inga Rhonda King addressing the August Body on Tuesday 1 March, said;
“The Special Military operation being carried out by Russia is not necessary or desirable and cannot be reasonably justified. It will only exacerbate human suffering across the globe.”
“Historically, Russia has been a defender of the purposes and principles of the UN charter. SVG unequivocally insists that Russia cease its military operations and withdraw its troops from Ukraine”.
King also stated that St Vincent and the Grenadines has watched the countless insidious effects of interventionist and external aggression across the developing world and knows that constructive dialogue in adherence to international law is the only part of peace and progress. However difficult that part may be.
In February 2021, Ambassador King emphasized the need to implement the Minsk agreements fully; she said they remain the basis for a political solution to the conflict in Donbas, a point she reiterated on Tuesday.
On Friday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said he had written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Gonsalves did not reveal the contents of such a letter publicly. He further stated on Friday that not all diplomacy has to be conducted in public.
Gonsalves speaking on Star FM on Monday 28, stated;
“Even if you take Russia’s articulation that they have legitimate security concerns, along with their perspectives on what has happened in the Donbas region over the last eight years.
Even If you take those things to the highest in favour of Russia, they still don’t reasonably justify driving a veritable horse and chariot through to the UN charter”.
SVG completed its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in January of 2022.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, said the resolution was placed before the General Assembly to show which countries genuinely believe in supporting the core principles of the UN – and which ones deploy them as convenient catchphrases.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), charged with ensuring international peace and security.
Countries including Cuba, Iran and Venezuela have claimed the U.S. and NATO are responsible for the current crisis, but virtually no world leaders have endorsed Russia’s invasion.
During the seven days of the war, more than 2,000 Ukrainians have been killed, not counting the defenders, the State Emergency Service has reported.
On Wednesday the European Commission said the war in Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions against Russia could harm Europe’s energy supplies and stall its economic growth.
On Sunday, the United Nations Security Council voted to hold the rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly.
