The imminent convergence of Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and a representative of significant standing from the Russian government at the United Nations General Assembly slated for this week, although fraught with potential tension, represents a crucial diplomatic encounter, posits Canada’s UN ambassador.
Set to give his inaugural in-person address before the UN General Assembly in New York this Tuesday, Zelenskyy’s speech comes roughly 18 months subsequent to Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. Canada’s UN envoy, Ambassador Bob Rae, purports that he comprehends an initiative by the UN Security Council, where Russia has a permanent seat, to arrange dialogues with Zelenskyy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, might also be in attendance at the General Assembly, prompting Rae to suggest, “Indeed, it promises to be a moment of considerable drama”. He further elucidates, “Lavrov’s attendance is not entirely unexpected. He is a regular at the UN. While this may represent formidable circumstances, it is essential to hear their viewpoints and to anticipate how this public debate might evolve during the winter and in the forthcoming year”.
This development follows consultations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which have led to conjecture on Pyongyang potentially providing Moscow with military supplies for its conflict in Ukraine.
The European Union, on the contrary, resolved on Friday not to extend its prohibition on Ukrainian grain exports to bordering nations- a matter that has raised concerns over the welfare of their agricultural sectors. Meanwhile, Russia extracted itself from a UN-negotiated agreement in July that allowed Ukraine to securely export grain via the Black Sea.
Recently, a G20 meeting led to a noticeable softening of the coalition of the world’s leading economies’ stance on the Ukraine conflict.
Zelenskyy’s speech could potentially strike a chord with the countries of the Global South, argues Rae. This notably includes India, the host of the recent G20 meeting, which has maintained neutrality on the conflict and advocated for diplomatic negotiations.
“We have been advocating for the Ukrainians to participate in as much international diplomacy as possible,” Rae comments. He accentuates the grim reality of the situation, pertaining to the effects of Russian aggression and the war’s impact on the world economy, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Rae points to the significant effects felt by the developing countries dealing with climate change and food availability and pricing concerns, all exacerbated by the war.
Rae concludes, “The truth of the matter is that this war determines Ukraine’s future existence. Ukraine is battling for its survival. Indeed, it is a message the entire assembly should listen to and take heed.”
