Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during the UN Security Council meeting March 11 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield plans to introduce a resolution condemning Russia over the so-called referendums being held in four regions of Ukraine and stating that the UN Security Council will ban the use of Force to redraw borders during a security measure does not support Tuesday’s council meeting, a US official told CNN.
The resolution – co-tabled by the US and Albania – is expected to be largely symbolic as Russia is almost certain to veto it.
Behind the scenes, US diplomats will work with all nations on the Security Council, including diplomats from China and India, to get them to vote in favor, the official said.
Thomas-Greenfield will say that Russia intends to annex the territories to take the territory of another UN member country by force, which the UN charter should prevent, the US official said. She will ask members of the Security Council to join with the US in taking on the challenge, the official said.
More context: US officials have repeatedly said they will not accept the outcome of “sham” referenda, which they say will use Russia as a pretext to annex those parts of Ukraine. The Biden administration is also preparing a response once Russia annexes the regions, CNN reported Monday.
The introduction of this resolution comes after both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden called for changes in the United Nations Security Council during last week’s UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy questioned why Russia is a permanent member and called on the council to punish Russia.
“Deny the right to vote. Revoke delegation rights. Remove the right of veto – if it is a member of the UN Security Council. To punish the aggressor within the institutions,” Zelenskyy said.
