GP Short Notes

GP Short Notes # 677, 16 October 2022

UN deems Russia’s referendums illegal
Rishma Banerjee

What happened?
On 12 October, the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution to deem the recent referendums conducted by Russia as illegal. 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, 5 voted against and 35 members abstained. The countries supporting Russia were North Korea, Nicaragua, Syria and Belarus. South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, Cuba, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and China were among the countries that abstained. This has been the biggest show of support by the UNGA to Ukraine so far. 

Ahead of the vote, Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia told the General Assembly that the resolution was "politicized and openly provocative," and "could destroy any and all efforts in favor of a diplomatic solution to the crisis."

In a statement following the vote, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratefulness to the countries that supported the “historic UNGA resolution” and said: “The world had its say – [Russia’s] attempt at annexation is worthless and will never be recognized by free nations.” The US President Joe Biden said: “The stakes of this conflict are clear to all, and the world has sent a clear message in response – Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map.” 

What is the background?
First, Russia’s referendum in Ukraine. From 23 to 27 September, Russia held referendums in four regions in Ukraine-Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). Ukrainians from these regions reported that Russian soldiers were going door-to-door to collect votes. In some parts, mobile voting units in buses were set up. Russia said that these measures were for ‘security.’ Amidst concerns about the validity of the referendum, the Russian Central Election Commission released their report soon after, saying that 99.23 percent in DPR, 98.42 per cent in LPR, 87.05 per cent in Kherson and 93.11 per cent in Zaporizhzhia favoured joining Russia. On 30 September 2022 President Vladimir Putin officially announced the annexation of these regions to Russia, which Ukraine and the international community deemed as illegal.

Second, rejection of Russia’s plea for secret ballot. On 11 October, the UNGA responded to Albania’s call and voted against Russia’s proposal to hold secret ballots on the constitutionality of Russia’s annexation of four regions of Ukraine. With 107 votes in favor, the UNGA decided that the vote deciding on the "illegal so-called referenda" and the "attempted illegal annexation” of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, LPR, and DPR will be public. 13 countries voted for a secret ballot and 39 countries including Russia and China abstained from voting.

Third, Russia’s strong-arming in the UNSC. Following the referendums, the US and Albania had tabled a UN Security Council resolution condemning Moscow’s “illegal referenda”. 10 out of the 15-member council voted for the resolution, and China, Gabon, India, and Brazil abstained. However, the resolution failed to get adopted as Russia as a permanent member vetoed it. As a response to the Veto in the UNSC, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield promised to pursue accountability for Russia at the UNGA. Thus, on 10 October a special emergency session of the UNGA was convened, culminating in the vote. 

Fourth, a similar strategy to that of Crimea. In February 2014, Russia invaded Crimea, captured strategic sites in the region, and eventually annexed it into Russia. A pro-Russian government was installed and Crimea’s independence was declared by the same government in March 2014. This annexation had also initiated a UNGA vote rejecting Russia’s referendum, which Russia disregards.  

What does it mean?
First increasing support for Ukraine. Several countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE which have been seen trying to maintain good relations with Russia on bilateral levels even amidst the war voted for the resolution, thus indicating their support for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty. From the BRICS grouping, even though only Brazil voted for the resolution and the other three states abstained, both India and China criticized Russia’s recent escalation in Ukraine and Russia’s targeting of civilian infrastructure, marking a shift in their neutral stances. 

Second, the legitimacy of the referendum and resolution. The annexation of Crimea can serve as the perfect precedence for the 2022 annexations done by Russia. Like in the case of Crimea, the international community does not recognize Crimea as Russia’s part, but in the Russian consciousness, Crimea is an extension of their territory. Since a UNGA resolution is not legally binding, it remains to be seen whether Russia will accept the UNGA’s vote or continue to claim the four territories as rightful parts of Russia and continue.

31 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 730
Colombia: One year of “total peace” plan
26 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 728
Niger: Continuing standoff
20 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 727
Ethiopia: Another conflict in Amhara

20 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 726
Moscow conference on international security
17 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 724
Hawaii: The wildfires
17 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 723
Ecuador: Increasing political violence

13 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 722
Amazon Summit: A united front for saving the rainforest
13 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 721
Japan-Australia's Reciprocal Access Agreement
10 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 719
The War in Ukraine: Escalation after drone attacks

10 August 2023 | GP Short Notes # 718
Niger: Standoff after the coup
27 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 717
Protests over Judicial Reforms in Israel
27 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 716
Kenya: Anti-government protests turn violent
27 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 715
Niger: Another Coup 

20 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 713
Syria: Stalemate over Aid extension
6 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 709
Israel: Violence in Jenin
6 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 708
Mali: Termination of the UN Mission - MINUSMA
2 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 706
Pakistan: Finally, a deal with the IMF
2 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 705
France: Summit for a New Global Financing Pact 
2 July 2023 | GP Short Notes # 704
New High Seas Treaty: Beyond National Jurisdiction 
29 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 703
Sudan: Nine Ceasefires, No Solution in Sight

29 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 702
Russia: Rise and Fall of the Wagner Revolt
25 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 701
Russia: Anatomy of Wagner Revolt, and its Fallouts
22 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 699
Greece: Migrant boat disaster and humanitarian crisis

22 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 698
Uganda: Resurging insurgency
11 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 696
The Debt crisis in Pakistan
11 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 695
Domestic instability in Colombia

11 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 694
Political Crises in Maldives
8 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 693
Canada: Raging Wildfires and its fallouts
5 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 692
The US: Debt Ceiling Notches up higher
5 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 691
Turkey's Election: Erdogan's reign to continue

5 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 690
North Korea: Nuclear, Missile and now Space
1 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 687
Violence in Kosovo: Dangers of Escalation
1 June 2023 | GP Short Notes # 686
Russia and Ukraine: A New Drone Warfare

28 May 2023 | GP Short Notes # 684
G7 Summit: Unity, Polarization and Challenges
28 May 2023 | GP Short Notes # 683
Thailand elections: Victory of democracy
25 May 2023 | GP Short Notes # 681
Ukraine: Russia claims victory in Bakhmut
25 May 2023 | GP Short Notes # 680
Sudan: A Seventh Ceasefire
25 May 2023 | GP Short Notes # 679
Arab League: The Return of Syria
16 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 673
France: Contended pension reform bill becomes law
9 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 671
OPEC: Reducing crude oil production
9 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 670
Space: NASA announces crew for the Artemis II mission

9 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 698
France and China: The Macron-Xi meeting
2 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 697
NATO: Turkey greenlights Finland’s membership
2 April 2023 | GP Short Notes # 696
Expanding Russia-South Africa relations

19 March 2023 | GP Short Notes # 694
AUKUS Submarine Deal
19 March 2023 | GP Short Notes # 693
Saudi Arabia: Resumption of diplomatic ties with Iran
8 March 2023 | GP Short Notes # 692
Macron’s visit to Africa: Three Takeaways

Click below links for year wise archive
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018

Click here for old Short Notes