UNITED NATIONS (AP) 鈥 The European Union on Wednesday circulated the resolution to be voted on by the U.N. General Assembly on the eve of next week鈥檚 first anniversary of Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine, calling for a cessation of hostilities and a peace that ensures Ukraine鈥檚 鈥渟overeignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.鈥
There are no vetoes in the 193-member world body, so the resolution is certain to be adopted at the end of a high-level emergency special session of the assembly Feb. 23. But the big question is how many 鈥測es鈥 votes it will get.
To mark the anniversary, Ukraine asked the EU to draft the resolution in consultation with U.N. member states, with the aim of gathering strong support from the international community for peace in Ukraine in line with the U.N. Charter, said an EU diplomat who was not authorized to speak publicly. The charter calls for peaceful settlement of disputes and declares that all countries shall refrain 鈥渇rom the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.鈥
The General Assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed as a result of Russia鈥檚 veto power.
While the assembly鈥檚 five previous resolutions on Ukraine are not legally binding 鈥 as council resolutions are 鈥 they are important as a reflection of world opinion.
The first resolution adopted eight days after Russia invasion last Feb. 24 demanded an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of all Russian troops. It was approved by a vote of 141-5 with 35 abstentions.
A second resolution three weeks later blamed Russia for Ukraine鈥檚 humanitarian crisis and called for protection of civilians and their homes and infrastructure critical to their survival. It was adopted by a vote of 140-5 with 38 abstentions.
An Oct. 12 resolution condemned Russia鈥檚 鈥渁ttempted illegal annexation鈥 of four Ukrainian regions and demanded its immediate reversal. It got the highest vote of the five resolutions 鈥 143-5 with 35 abstentions.
Two other resolutions that suspended Russia from the U.N.鈥檚 Geneva-based Human Rights Council and called for Russia to be held accountable for violating international law by invading Ukraine, including paying reparations for damage, deaths and injuries, received fewer 鈥測es鈥 votes 鈥 93 and 94, respectively.
Ukraine initially thought of having the General Assembly enshrine the 10-point peace plan that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the November summit of the Group of 20 major economies, U.N. diplomats said. But this idea was shelved in favor of the broader and less detailed resolution circulated Wednesday.
As one example, while the resolution to be voted on emphasizes the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes committed in Ukraine through 鈥渇air and independent investigations and prosecutions at the national or international level,鈥 it does not include Zelenskyy鈥檚 call for a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
The final draft resolution differs slightly from the original draft obtained Friday by The Associated Press.
It adds a call 鈥渇or a cessation of hostilities鈥 and refers directly to 鈥渢he full scale invasion of Ukraine鈥 a year ago, reiterating the need to reach 鈥渁 comprehensive, just and lasting peace鈥 in Ukraine 鈥渁s soon as possible鈥 in line with the U.N. Charter.
The draft calls on U.N. member states and international organizations 鈥渢o redouble support for diplomatic efforts鈥 to achieve peace on those terms, and supports efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and unnamed countries.
The proposed resolution reiterates the General Assembly鈥檚 previous demand that Russia 鈥渋mmediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces鈥 from Ukraine鈥檚 internationally recognized borders.
It also deplores 鈥渢he dire human rights and humanitarian consequences鈥 of Russia鈥檚 aggression, including its repeated attacks on critical infrastructure with devastating consequences for civilians鈥 and expresses 鈥済rave concern at the high number of civilian casualties.鈥 It calls for an immediate halt to attacks on Ukraine鈥檚 critical infrastructure, residences, schools and hospitals.
