UN General Assembly should play active and constructive role, envoy says
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya scans the general assembly with his binoculars prior to a vote on the resolution over the Ukrainian crisis, at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Wednesday. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
A Chinese ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday called for the relaunching of peace talks and the creation of conditions for a political settlement to the Ukraine crisis.
"The General Assembly, as the most representative organization of the UN, should play an active and constructive role on the issue of Ukraine by bridging differences and forming consensus, garnering the greatest synergy for peace talks, and finding the greatest common factor among member states," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly's 11th emergency special session on Ukraine.
"We have always believed that any action taken by the GA should be conducive to the de-escalation of the situation, be conducive to the early resumption of dialogue, and be conducive to the promotion of a political solution to this crisis.
"The draft resolution submitted to this emergency special session for voting will not help achieve the abovementioned objectives. Therefore, the Chinese delegation will abstain."
On Wednesday, the UNGA adopted a Western-sponsored resolution on the Ukraine crisis. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote. The resolution condemns Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
China is deeply worried about the recent intensification of ground conflicts and saddened by the civilian casualties and damages to civilian facilities, Geng said.
"What is urgent now is to guide the parties concerned to exercise restraint, avoid escalation of conflicts, prevent the confrontation from getting out of control, and to de-escalate the situation. In the final analysis, the Ukraine crisis has to be resolved peacefully," Geng said.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the General Assembly ahead of the vote that the resolution was "politicized and openly provocative", adding that it could "destroy" efforts to reach a diplomatic solution.
Syrian Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh accused the General Assembly of "being manipulated flagrantly by some Western countries for their own geopolitical interests" and urged countries to oppose efforts "to isolate Russia and to employ double standards".
Geng said the work of the GA should be conducted in full accordance with the rules of procedure and should reflect fairness and impartiality. "With regard to procedural issues, the views of member states should all be fully expressed, and their motions should all be given equal weight," he said.
Intensified situation
Germany and 13 NATO allies signed a letter of intent on Thursday for the joint procurement of air defense systems such as Arrow 3 and Patriot. The signing ceremony took place at NATO's headquarters in Brussels.
Britain said on Thursday it would supply Ukraine with air defense missiles to defend itself against Russian strikes, and will for the first time provide rockets capable of shooting down cruise missiles.
"The AMRAAM rockets … will be provided in the coming weeks for use with the NASAMS air defense systems pledged by the US," the British defense ministry said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the G7 club of wealthy nations including Britain to help Kyiv create an "air shield".
Russia reiterated on Thursday that the West, by helping Ukraine, indicated that "they are a direct party to the conflict" and warned the admission of Ukraine into NATO could trigger World War III.
"Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War III," Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, told the state TASS news agency on Thursday.
Gas supply
In another development, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow is ready to resume gas supplies to Europe via a link of the Germanybound Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea.
Speaking at a Moscow energy forum, Putin again charged that the United States was likely behind explosions that ripped through both links of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of two links of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, causing a massive gas leak and taking them out of service.
Putin said the attack on the pipelines was launched by those who wanted to weaken Europe by halting the flow of cheap gas from Russia.
"The act of sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and 2 is an act of international terrorism aimed at undermining energy security of the entire continent by blocking supplies of cheap energy," he said, alleging that the US wants to force Europe to switch to importing more expensive liquefied natural gas.
"Those who want to rupture ties between Russia and the EU are behind the acts of sabotage on Nord Stream."
While Russia is still pumping gas to Europe via Ukraine, the explosions on the Baltic pipelines have exacerbated acute energy shortages faced by Europe before the winter season.
The Russian leader also said Russia could increase the capacity of its gas exports to Turkiye, and eventually turn into a hub for gas supplies to Europe.
Agencies contributed to this story.
minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com