The UN Security Council has rejected a resolution tabled by Russia to investigate allegations of US involvement in the development of biological weapons in Ukraine. Only permanent Security Council members Russia and China voted in favor yesterday, while France, the US and Britain voted against. All ten non-permanent members abstained.
Russia called for the “establishment of a commission composed of all members of the Security Council”. Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyansky criticized the result of the vote. This is an expression of the “customary colonial mentality” of Western states.
Russia will revisit the issue at the Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference in Geneva from 28 November to 16 December.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US voted against the resolution because it is based on “disinformation, dishonesty, ill will and a complete lack of respect” for the Security Council. “Nobody falls for that except China,” she added.