In his speech, Kamboj criticized Russia without naming it and said that the principles of global order should be respected. However, 94 votes were cast in favor of the motion. 14 votes were cast against the motion. 73 countries abstained from voting. The resolution called for setting up an international registry and a mechanism for compensating Ukraine, while warning Russia of legal consequences for the invasion. The resolution also reflected the deepening polarization in the 193-member United Nations.
‘Proposal on Ukraine smelled of double standards’
Stan Smith, Permanent Representative of the Bahamas, said that like colonialism and slavery, there is also a moral and legal responsibility for the actions of the colonizers and exploiters. The representative of Sierra Leone said that the proposal smacked of double standards. The countries that proposed reparations for Ukraine opposed reparations for colonialism and slavery. Kamboj said that the war has affected developing countries the most due to rising petroleum and fertilizer prices and food shortages, so it is important that their voices be heard. He said that any move that would hinder talks to end the war should be avoided.
Kamboj said that we need to consider whether the compensation process through the General Assembly vote will contribute to conflict resolution efforts. Kamboj said, the UN Security Council has been paralyzed by the veto of its permanent member Russia, so the efforts of Western countries are limited to morality only. US Deputy Permanent Representative to the General Assembly Richard Mills called the proposal an important step towards Coke accountability. Russia’s Vasily Nebenzia accused Western countries of taking possession of Moscow’s freeze assets on the pretext of the proposal.
