Azerbaijan, which neighbours Russia, launches military action against Armenia; in a highly significant development, a grain ship has left Ukraine despite the threat of attack by Vladimir Putin’s forces; Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of genocide at the UN General Assembly.
EU to ask China to push Russia towards ‘just peace’ in Ukraine
The president of the European Council will ask China at the United Nations Security Council to do more to push Russia towards a “just peace” in Ukraine, according to his draft speech seen by Reuters.
At the Security Council meeting held during the annual UN General Assembly in New York tomorrow, Charles Michel is expected to call for “a just peace that respects the UN Charter and its core principles — the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation.”
The draft says he will then turn directly to the Chinese delegation to say: “As responsible nations, let’s join forces – to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that is hurting so many.”
China’s vice president Han Zheng is in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is also expected to attend the council meeting.
China has abstained from votes by the 193-member UN General Assembly that overwhelmingly demanded Moscow withdraw its troops from Ukraine – in an apparent move to remain on the fence over the war.