Ukraine's representative to UN: Russia bribed countries into voting against the UN’s resolution on Crimea
Russia bribed countries to make them vote against “The human rights situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol (Ukraine)” resolution initiated by Ukraine, which was approved two days ago by the third committee of the United Nations General Assembly that specializes in human rights.
This was stated by the permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Volodymyr Yelchenko, in an interview with the Ukrinform news agency.
“Of course, this information is unlikely to be confirmed officially by any country among those that were accessed by Russia. But we know from our friends – a lot of countries, especially in remote regions – that Russian embassies in other capitals either resorted to overt pressure and blackmail, that supposedly if you support this resolution, we will come out against you in certain matters, or to the elementary bribery: simply gave money. It is a common coordinate system in which the Russian diplomacy works, unfortunately,” Yelchenko said.
On November 15, the UN adopted a resolution recognizing Russia as an invader of the Crimea. Thus, for the first time in official documents of the United Nations, the Crimea and Sevastopol were called occupied territories. There were 23 countries that voted against the resolution, including Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, South Africa, China and India. First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) Iryna Herashchenko said that the position of Belarus on the issue of the UN’s resolution on the Crimea can be regarded as a betrayal.