U.N. Security Council will vote Friday regarding Russian attacks on Ukraine

U.N. Security Council will vote Friday regarding Russian attacks on Ukraine. 

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on a Russian-drafted appeal for aid access and civilian safety in Ukraine. 

Still, diplomats fear the measure is doomed to fail since it does not call for an end to the conflict or Russian troop withdrawal.

According to Reuters, the proposed resolution does not mention accountability or acknowledge Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.

In a video uploaded on Twitter on Tuesday, Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward called these “glaring omissions” and said Russia was “game-playing.” She stated that the United Kingdom would not vote in favor of Russia’s draught wording.

“Their resolution emphasizes the importance of parties adhering to international humanitarian law, but it ignores that Russia is perpetrating war crimes,” she said. “Their invasion and actions are driving this humanitarian disaster.”

MORE: U.S. wants to work closely with India to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: U.S.

To be adopted, a Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, or the United States. According to diplomats, Russia’s effort would fail since most of the 15 members would most certainly abstain.

“We will not give attention to Russia’s attempt to avoid accountability, responsibility, or culpability for their unwarranted action,” said Olivia Dalton, a U.S. delegation to the U.N.

Russia put up the text after France and Mexico dropped their drive for a council resolution on Ukraine’s humanitarian situation, claiming that Moscow would veto it. 

Instead, they intend to put it to a vote in the 193-member United Nations General Assembly, where no country has a veto.

“We indicated from the start that we would be willing to approve a humanitarian resolution on the situation in Ukraine, provided that this is not a cover for blaming and shaming Russia again,” Russia’s U.N. envoy Vassily Nebenzia said on Tuesday.

“Civilians, particularly humanitarian staff and persons in vulnerable situations, including women and children, must be completely protected,” according to the Russian-drafted Security Council resolution. 

It also demands that help be delivered in a secure and unfettered manner and that people be able to leave Ukraine safely.

Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Moscow of indiscriminately striking civilians. Thousands of people have died, and millions have been displaced due to Russia’s invasion, which began on February 24.

Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine have been dubbed a “special operation.” It denies striking people and claims that its air, ground, and sea attacks aim to destroy Ukraine’s military infrastructure.

According to diplomats, the United Nations Security Council will convene on Thursday to be briefed on Ukraine at the request of the United States, Albania, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Norway.