New York City: The tide of international opinion is turning decisively against Russia, with several non-aligned countries joining the US and its allies in condemning Moscow's war in Ukraine and threats to the principles of an international rules-based order.
Since invading Ukraine in February, Western officials have repeatedly said that Russia has been isolated. But, until recently, it was mostly wishful thinking. However, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, much of the international community spoke out against the conflict, in a rare display of unity at an often fragmented United Nations.
Even before Thursday's UN speeches, the tide appeared to be turning against Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a high-level summit in Uzbekistan last week, Chinese and Indian leaders criticized the war.
The United Nations General Assembly then ignored Russia's objections and voted to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be the sole leader to address the body from afar rather than personally.
The turn against Russia intensified after Putin on Wednesday announced the mobilization of an additional 300,000 troops for Ukraine, indicating the impossibility of a quick end to the war.
Putin also indicated the possibility of using nuclear weapons. This was in response to Russia's announcement that it intended to hold referendums in several occupied Ukrainian territories on whether they would become part of Russia.
These declarations came as the United Nations General Assembly, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the global diplomatic calendar, convened in New York.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, several world leaders used their speeches to condemn Russia's war. The trend continued on Thursday in the assembly hall and in the generally deeply divided United Nations Security Council, where nearly all 15 members of the council called Russia - a council member - aggravating the already dire global crises and the foundation of the world body. chose to risk.
The apparent change in opinion gives Ukraine and its Western allies hope that increased isolation will increase pressure on Putin to negotiate a peace deal. However, very few people are overly optimistic.
Putin has staked his legacy on the Ukraine conflict, and some believe he will back down. And Russia is far from isolated. Many of its allies depend on it for energy, food and military aid, and they are likely to back Putin no matter what happens in Ukraine.
However, it was surprising to hear Russia's nominal allies, China and India, reiterating their serious concerns for the conflict and its impact on global food and energy shortages, as well as the UN Charter's concepts of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Brazil expressed similar objections. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa comprise a group of so-called BRICS countries that have often opposed or outright opposed Western initiatives and approaches on international relations.
Only one country, Belarus, a non-council member and Russia ally invited to participate, spoke out in support of Russia, as well as calling for an end to the fighting, which it described as a "tragedy". .
"We hear a lot at the United Nations about the partition of the country," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "However, what has struck me lately is the remarkable unity among member states in the face of Russia's war on Ukraine."
Leaders from developing and developed countries, large and small, North and South, have spoken in the General Assembly about the consequences of war and the need to end it."
"Many countries with close ties to Moscow have publicly expressed serious doubts and concerns about President Putin's ongoing aggression," Blinken said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was careful not to condemn the war, but added that "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected." The goals of the principles of the United Nations Charter must be adhered to."
External Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar said that "the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is of grave concern to the international community". He demanded that those responsible for atrocities and abuses in Ukraine be held accountable.
"If heinous attacks committed in broad daylight are not punished, this council should consider the signals we are sending about impunity." "We need consistency if we have to maintain credibility," he said.
And Brazil's Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franca said immediate efforts to end the war are vital. "The continuation of hostilities puts the lives of innocent civilians at risk and the food and energy security of millions of families in other regions, especially in developing countries," he said.
"The risks posed to the current dynamics of conflict are enormous, and its consequences for the world order are unpredictable."
Foreign ministers and top officials from Albania, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway all slammed the move.
"Russia's actions are blatant violations of the UN Charter," said Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka. "We all attempted to avoid this conflict." We couldn't, but we can't stop holding Russia accountable."
Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard described the invasion as a "flagrant violation of international law," while Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney stated, "If we fail to hold Russia accountable, we send a message to large countries that they can prey on their neighbours with impunity."
Unsurprisingly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was both unapologetic and defensive, specifically targeting Zelensky. Using a phrase often attributed to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lavrov referred to Zelensky as "a bastard," but added that Western leaders saw him as "our bastard."
He reiterated Russia's long list of complaints about Ukraine and accused Western countries of using Ukraine for anti-Russian activities and policies.
"Everything I've said today simply confirms that the decision to conduct the special military operation was unavoidable," Lavrov said, adhering to Russian tradition of not referring to the invasion as a war.
Russia has denied being isolated, and the foreign ministry has used social media to publicise a series of apparently cordial meetings between Lavrov and foreign minister colleagues at the UN in recent days.
Nonetheless, Blinken and his NATO colleagues seized on what they believe is growing opposition to and impatience with Putin. Moreover, several speakers, including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, noted that Lavrov had not attended the meeting except for his speaking slot.
"I notice that Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers," Kuleba said, referring to Lavrov's hasty departure as well as recent Russian troop withdrawals from Ukraine.
If Putin used nuclear weapons in Ukraine, what might happen?
IT professionals, bankers, and journalists are barred from mobilisation in Russia
Did US gave financial aid to Pakistan to take revenge on India?