The Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, expressed disappointment on behalf of UAE delegates after the UN Security Council did not back the draft Middle East resolution proposed by Russia. UAE officials indicated that the Russian text addressed humanitarian needs in the region, which influenced the UAE’s decision to vote in favor of the proposal. This follow-up underscores a notable gap between the UAE’s expectations and the Council’s stance in this session.
In the public remarks, UAE diplomats noted that the Russian initiative carried humanitarian overtones and could have offered tangible relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. Consequently, the UAE’s vote reflected a belief in the resolution’s potential to mitigate suffering, even as it acknowledged the outcome did not meet the hoped-for level of support. The UAE stressed that the decision was rooted in humanitarian concerns and the desire to advance relief efforts for those caught in the crossfire, as reported by TASS.
Officials emphasized that the UAE was among the members voting in favor of the Russian proposal, while also conveying disappointment that it did not receive broader Council backing on the day of the vote. The Security Council’s failure to adopt the Russian text highlighted the deep divisions among permanent and non-permanent members over the path to de-escalation and humanitarian access in the Palestinian-Israeli context, according to statements from UAE diplomats and allied observers.
Previous discussions in the Security Council showed a similar outcome, with Russia’s draft not securing enough votes to pass. The voting pattern this time included several key players choosing to oppose the proposal, while others declined to support it or abstained, indicating a complex balance of national interests and perspectives on how best to address the conflict. Reports of the vote from multiple outlets, including coverage from TASS, indicate the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan opposed the Russian project, whereas Russia, China, the UAE, Gabon, and Mozambique supported it. Albania, Brazil, Ghana, Malta, Switzerland, and Ecuador abstained, reflecting a broad spectrum of positions within the Council.
The US permanent representative to the United Nations explained that the Russian draft did not condemn Hamas, a point cited by detractors as a reason for its lack of support. The differing interpretations of what constitutes an adequate response to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict shaped the voting outcomes and the ensuing diplomatic conversations among Council members. Observers note that this dynamic underscores the ongoing challenge of reaching consensus on resolutions that address humanitarian concerns while also addressing security and political considerations in the region.
Analysts observing the session remarked that support for the Russian text appeared to hinge on whether the resolution sufficiently condemned actions by militant groups and whether it provided practical mechanisms for humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and prospects for a ceasefire. While some countries expressed a preference for a stronger stance with explicit condemnation, others prioritized immediate relief measures and calls for a humanitarian pause in hostilities. The UAE’s stance illustrates a broader pattern in the Council where humanitarian aims are weighed against political positions and security implications, as noted by observers familiar with the proceedings.
In the wake of the vote, UAE officials reiterated their commitment to pursuing channels that can deliver aid and safeguard civilian lives. They underscored the importance of international unity and constructive dialogue as essential elements in alleviating human suffering, even when the path to consensus proves arduous. The session highlighted how humanitarian considerations continue to animate Security Council debates, even amid sharp disagreements over strategic approaches to the region’s protracted conflict, as reported by various outlets including TASS and other diplomatic briefings.