Dear Editor,
Surely one significant avenue of diplomatic intervention that has not been properly utilized in challenging the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the UN General Assembly resolution of March 2nd, where 141 countries voted to demand that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders". It was invoked under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the same article that Putin used cynically to justify his invasion.
On a number of occasions since the Uniting for Peace Resolution over Korea in 1950, the UN General Assembly had been able to circumvent the great power veto and take economic or even military measures for peace. It was invoked, for instance, over the crises in Suez, Congo, Lebanon and Namibia. In view of the existing strength of feeling in the UN, why could not the NATO powers seek a second emergency General Assembly resolution over Ukraine to confirm UN sanctions, institute humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, and even perhaps introduce a partial no fly zone in western Ukraine under a UN flag (and not a NATO flag). A challenge by the UN would be an additional obstacle to surmount for the troubled Russian ruling elite as it assesses the damage from Putin's war. Remember too that Ukraine had been a generous contributor to the UN's military peace missions and now deserves UN support.
Yours faithfully,
Wiktor Moszczynski
Letter sent to The Economist
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