India abstains from UNGA vote on 2 Ukraine resolutions amid US vs Europe drama

India chose not to vote on either of the two resolutions presented to the UN General Assembly on the third anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, one by the United States and the other by Ukraine and Europe, amid the intense drama at the UN.

With 93 votes in favour, both resolutions were approved, suggesting that EU members were able to rally the 193-member organisation to support both Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as a complete peace.

The US itself withdrew from voting on a resolution it had sponsored, making the vote for the US effort—which aimed to end the war quickly—more dramatic.

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A resolution supported by Europe calls for the removal of Russian forces.

This resulted from the European nations’ successful introduction of textual modifications.

It was anticipated that India, which insists that it is not neutral but supports peace, would vote in favour, but the revisions forced India to abstain as well.

India was one of 65 nations that chose not to vote on the resolution supported by Europe, which demanded an early withdrawal of Russian soldiers from Ukraine as well as a fair and sustainable peace.

This was consistent with its previous abstentions from resolutions denouncing Russia in the Assembly. India formally still maintains that it wants the situation to be resolved by a resumption of the diplomatic and negotiation process between the sides.

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The United States will attempt to make up for the loss in the General Assembly in the Security Council, assuming that France and the United Kingdom do not veto it. For decades, neither nation has exercised its veto power. The vote was set to take place later in the day.

The US resolution, which essentially consists of a single paragraph, asks for a speedy settlement to the dispute between the two nations and wants enduring peace—not just a temporary one.

If accepted, it will be the Council’s first substantive resolution on the matter since the start of the conflict.

The only one that has been approved thus far was for a special emergency session of the Assembly on Ukraine, which was held days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In the US draft resolution, EU member states had requested three changes, one of which was to substitute “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation” for the phrase “Russia-Ukraine conflict.”

Furthermore, it demanded that the UN reiterate its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence within its internationally recognised boundaries, including its territorial seas.

Third, the phrase “just, lasting, and comprehensive” peace—rather than merely “lasting peace”—was included. Russia’s proposal to address the conflict’s “root causes” was turned down.