UNGA again Condemns Russian Invasion,

Occupation of Crimea; But Expulsion is Better

For the record, the United Nations again condemned Russia for invading and occupying the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and demanded that Moscow withdraw its troops.

While it is important for global consumption and historical archives that the UN General Assembly took this step, Russia will most likely not abide by its demands. Moscow has disregarded previous resolutions that denounced its illegal activities that targeted Ukraine or other countries and it will do so again.

However, what is significant now is that the vote on Monday evening, December 17, demonstrated that Russian supporters are dwindling while the world is watching and listening to Ukraine.

According to a tally by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, Russia until recently enjoyed the regular support of 26 countries. This week only 18 countries sided with Moscow in voting against this resolution. Russia and its global influence are withering.

Kremlin lackeys include: Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Laos, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Serbia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Sixty-six countries voted in favor of the resolution initiated by Ukraine that calls for Russia to end its occupation and militarization of Crimea. The resolution, titled “Problem of the Militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as Parts of the Black and Azov,” insists that Russia withdraw its armed forces from Crimea and cease the occupation of Ukrainian territories.

The UN emphasizes that “the presence of Russian troops in Crimea is contrary to the national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and undermines the security and stability of neighboring countries and the European region.” There have been numerous reports that Russia is installing high-tech rockets and modernizing its military installations on Crimea.

The resolution expresses serious concern over the growing militarization of Crimea by Russia, which threatens the Black Sea region as well as the Mediterranean. With Russia expanding its invasion of Ukraine with a third front in the Sea of Azov, countries along the coast of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean should be concerned by Russia’s expanding belligerence.

The resolution calls on Russia to “refrain from impeding the lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait.” It expresses concern over Russia’s “ongoing actions in parts of the Black Sea surrounding Crimea and the Sea of Azov, including their militarization, which pose further threats to Ukraine and undermine the stability of the broader region.”

The UN declares its “utmost concern about the dangerous increase in tensions and the unjustified use of force” by Russia against Ukraine, including against three vessels of the naval forces of Ukraine on November 25 in the Black Sea, and calls on the Kremlin to release the vessels and their crews, and equipment unconditionally and without delay.

The resolution condemns Russia’s construction and opening of the Kerch Strait Bridge between Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea, and condemns the increasing military presence of Russia in parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Even though Russia will not abide by the UN General Assembly’s decision regarding Crimea, it was not a waste of time and effort to call for the vote. The UN officially repeated reaffirming that it deplores Russia’s international transgressions and insists on its withdrawal from the Ukrainian peninsula is a noteworthy development.

Furthermore, citizens of free world countries are now positioned to take advantage of this document in addressing Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine in the chambers of their national governments and legislatures. This is no longer a matter of Ukraine or the Ukrainian diaspora seeking justice against Russian crimes but it is a global concern. United Nations decisions still carry weight in government offices.

What can civilians do at this point? A stroll down memory lane reveals that 80 decades ago, on December 14, 1939, Moscow was expelled from the League of Nations following its treaty with Nazi Germany and its invasion of neighboring Finland. An updated campaign, launched in the halls of the Senate and Congress and other national legislatures will raise awareness about Russia’s criminal recidivism as well as the voices for punitive measures beyond mere resolutions.

Consequently, expel Russia from the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the World Trade Organization, the World Tourism Organization and other alliances because of its aggression against Ukraine.