Reuters: West not proposing new measures against Russia at UN out of fear of low support
Western countries are not proposing new restrictive measures against Moscow at the United Nations for fear of low support by other countries of their initiatives, Reuters wrote, citing unnamed diplomats.
According to the paper’s interlocutors, a growing number of states are refusing to publicly criticise Russia.
“In some cases, Western countries are shying away from taking concrete steps for fear of low support, as a rise in abstentions signals a growing reluctance to speak out publicly against Moscow,” the paper said.
United Nations University researcher Richard Gowan told Reuters it is becoming increasingly difficult to find “reasonable ways to punish” Russia over time.
“Support (for action against Russia. – Ed. note) is going to go down as the UN resolutions in March represent the high point. No one is eager for further action unless red lines are crossed,” a senior Asian diplomat opined.
After the start of Russia’s military special operation in Ukraine, the West stepped up sanctions pressure on Moscow. Many countries have announced freezing of Russian assets, and there have been louder calls to cut energy supplies from Russia. These measures have caused problems for the U.S. and Europe themselves – leading to higher inflation and higher food and fuel prices.
As Vladimir Putin pointed out, the sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy, and their main aim is to worsen the lives of millions of people. Nevertheless, he said, the current developments draw a line under the West’s global dominance in both politics and economics.