Security Council rejects Russian request for Ukraine meeting

The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law.

The photo taken on May 20, 2019 shows the United Nations Security Council holding a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. [Photo: Xinhua]

In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the Security Council.

After the announcement of the provisional agenda, Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote.

France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting.

In his remarks, the French ambassador said Russia's request for the meeting, which coincides with the inauguration of new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "clearly does not intend to contribute to the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis," but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light."

In his remarks before the vote, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that the new Ukrainian law "violates the spirit and letter of the Minsk Agreement, which the Security Council approved."

"We are talking about a violation of decisions by the Security Council," he said.

China voiced regret over the Security Council's rejection of the Russian request.

"We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request.

China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador.

The Ukrainian language bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament on April 25, and was signed into law by then President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday. The law institutes Ukrainian as the official language of the country, requiring that it be used in the public sector.