The vote by the 15-member council is procedural so none of the five permanent council members – Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States – can wield their vetoes. The move needs nine votes in favour and is likely to pass, diplomats said. The special session would be held on Monday, diplomats said.
Only 10 such emergency special sessions of the 193-member General Assembly have been convened since 1950.
The request for a session on Ukraine comes after Russia vetoed on Friday a draft UN Security Council resolution that would have deplored Moscow’s invasion. China, India and UAE abstained, while the remaining 11 members voted in favour.
The General Assembly is expected to vote on a similar resolution following several days of statements by countries in the emergency special session, diplomats said. General Assembly resolutions are non-binding but carry political weight.
Meanwhile, Germany is to deliver 1000 tank defence weapons as well as 500 surface to air stinger missiles, from stocks held by the German army, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said. He said the weapons would be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible.
Reuters.
