Russia and China Veto US-Proposed Resolution in UN Security Council
In a dramatic turn of events at the UN Security Council, Russia and China have vetoed a resolution proposed by the US that called for a ceasefire in Gaza linked to a hostage agreement.
The vote, which took place among the 15-member Security Council, saw 11 members in favor of the resolution and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. Guyana abstained from voting.
Before the vote, Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed support for an immediate halt to hostilities but criticized the use of diluted language in the resolution, referring to it as philosophical wording that does not belong in a UN resolution.
Nebenzia accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of intentionally deceiving the international community.
Thomas-Greenfield made a plea to the council to adopt the resolution in order to push for an immediate cease-fire, secure the release of hostages, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and support ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
Following the vote, Thomas-Greenfield criticized Russia and China for voting for what she called “deeply cynical reasons,” alleging that they could not condemn Hamas’ terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, as the resolution would have done for the first time.
An important point of contention in the vote was the language used regarding the cease-fire, with the resolution stating that the Security Council “determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” rather than making a straightforward demand or call.
Although the resolution would have been legally binding under international law, it would not have immediately stopped the fighting or led to the release of hostages. However, it would have increased pressure on Israel as the US aligns more closely with global calls for a cease-fire amid escalating tensions between the US and Israeli governments. – Euronews
