Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Friday demanding that Moscow immediately stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops, a defeat the United States and its supporters knew was inevitable but said would highlight Russia's global isolation.
The vote was delayed for two hours the United States and Albania, which co-sponsored the resolution, and their supporters scrambled behind the scenes to get wavering nations to support the resolution. China's decision to abstain, rather than use its veto alongside usual ally Russia, was seen as a diplomatic achievement.
Brazil's Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, whose country's vote was initially in question but turned into a yes, said his government is "gravely concerned" about Russia's military action. "A line has been crossed, and this council cannot remain silent," he said. China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said China abstained because all efforts must be made for a diplomatic solution and a response from the Security Council "should be taken with great caution rather than adding fuel to fire." He warned that Western sanctions "may completely shut the door to a peaceful solution" and echoed Russian claims that it is being threatened by NATO's expansion over the years.
"Russia's only act of self-defence is the vote they have cast against this resolution today," she said."There will be no hospitality for your troops in our territory," he told Russia's Nebenia. "Today, that objective was not achieved," he said. "But we must never give up. We must give peace another chance."
It would have deplored Russia's Feb. 21 decision declaring areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions independent and would have ordered Russia to "immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision." And it would have reaffirmed the council's commitment "to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
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