In the dock on the international scene, Russia suffered on Monday February 28 a deluge of condemnations at the UN General Assembly during a rare "emergency extraordinary session" of its 193 members, several of whom demanded halting its invasion of Ukraine, deemed "senseless". 

The day was crazy, including a twist with the decision of the United States to expel 12 members of the Russian diplomatic mission to the United Nations for spying.

It fell to the Russian ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, to make the announcement in the middle of a press conference, after interrupting the questions and using his mobile phone.

In the corridors of the Organization, very solicited ambassadors hurried on between the General Assembly and the Security Council where an emergency session - the 5th in a week - was held on the humanitarian crisis caused by the war. 

The continuation Tuesday, even Wednesday

After "a minute of silence, prayer and meditation", UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres set the tone for a litany of speeches that will continue on Tuesday, or even Wednesday, given the number of countries registered to speak.

"The fighting in Ukraine must stop," insisted the UN chief.

"They are raging all over the country, in the air, on land and at sea. (...) Enough is enough. The soldiers must return to their barracks."

Ukraine and Russia again clashed, while Denmark denounced a "senseless" Russian military adventure.

"Save Democracy"

"If Ukraine does not survive, the UN will not survive," warned Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya.

But "we can save Ukraine, save the United Nations, save democracy and defend the values ​​we believe in," he added.

In a defensive position, his Russian counterpart reaffirmed that Moscow was exercising its right to self-defense, provided for in Article 51 of the UN Charter, highlighting the "suffering" in the separatist region of Donbass and complaining about the "anti-Russian clichés" of the West.

"We do not feel isolated," assured Vassily Nebenzia to the media, shortly after revealing the expulsion of 12 members of his team which includes a hundred.

Moscow denounced a "hostile approach".

The West and the UN accuse Russia of violating Article 2 of the United Nations Charter requiring its members to refrain from threats and the use of force to settle a crisis.

Attenuated language

To reflect the rejection of war, a resolution piloted by the Europeans in coordination with Ukraine will be put to the vote soon, perhaps on Wednesday.

It will have to obtain two thirds of the votes "for" and "against" expressed to be adopted.

In order to garner a maximum of votes, the language of the text has been reduced compared to an initial project.

The resolution no longer "condemns" "Russia's aggression against Ukraine", but "deplores it in the strongest terms", according to the versions obtained by AFP.

On Friday, a Russian veto in the Security Council had prevented the adoption of a similar text.

At the General Assembly, there is no right of veto.

In its amphitheater, many African and Latin American countries joined forces with the United States and Europe to denounce the Russian invasion.

The Arab world remained in the background, with Kuwait, the victim of an invasion by Iraq in 1990, being one of the few countries in the Middle East to denounce Russia, which was supported, unsurprisingly, by Syria .

India remains cautious

For Asia, Japan and New Zealand denounced Russian violations of international law.

Militarily close to Moscow, India has remained cautious.

Seemingly embarrassed by the turn of events, China stressed that the world had "nothing to gain" from a new Cold War. 

Unable to stop the hostilities, the UN tackled the humanitarian crisis triggered by the Russian invasion.

A call for donations is expected Tuesday for aid to refugees who should reach 4 million in the days and weeks to come, according to the Organization. 

After Monday's new emergency meeting of the Security Council at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, France intends to put to the vote quickly with Mexico a draft resolution to ask to "protect civilians" and "allow the delivery of 'unhindered humanitarian aid'.

This text could be vetoed by Moscow.

According to an ambassador of the Security Council, requesting anonymity, the United States, irritated against France for various reasons, would have expressed its opposition to a text which would not mention Russia, making the negotiations complicated.

With AFP

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