Policy Alert #248 | April 11, 2022
On April 7, after graphic images emerged of civilian killings in the city of Bucha just outside Kyiv, the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights.” Ukraine accused Russia of killing more than 300 civilians in Bucha, leading to an even greater condemnation of Russia from the international community, albeit with varying intensity across non-western rising powers. The resolution to eject Russia passed with 93 countries voting in favor, 24 voting against, and 58 abstaining. Notably, this represented a shift in Russia’s favor since the first UNGA vote to condemn Russia on March 2.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict appears to be entering a new phase: Russia is preparing to launch another offensive, this time concentrating its attacks on the eastern part of Ukraine. Russia’s offensive is now proceeding on two primary fronts, according to Ukrainian officials, after forces shifted initial efforts to take Kyiv: against the southeastern port city of Mariupol and in Ukraine’s far east, especially the contested Luhansk region.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine have reportedly made significant progress on a tentative 15-point peace plan, according to five people briefed on the talks. The plan would involve Ukraine dropping its aspiration to join NATO and declaring neutrality, in return for a ceasefire and Russia’s army withdrawing. However, in a televised statement, Mykhailo Podolyak, one of Ukraine’s peace negotiators, claimed the tone of peace talks had forever changed after evidence of the mass killings in Bucha. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed he is committed to pressing for peace despite Russian attacks on civilians but he renewed his plea for more weapons ahead of an expected surge in fighting in the country’s east.
