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101 UN member states agreed on a corresponding proposal in the General Assembly. Seven countries voted against, 19 abstained. Zelenskii’s personal participation in the event, which Ukraine is considering, would mean an increased security risk upon arrival, it was said. Normally, the heads of state and government must be present in the hall if they want to intervene in the general debate. The exception decided yesterday applies only to the Ukrainian president. Belarus failed with an amendment to the application that would have allowed a video message for all countries.
The UN general debate in New York begins next Tuesday. More than 150 heads of state and government have announced their presence, including Chancellor Scholz and US President Biden.
Additional information
This message was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on September 17, 2022.
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