The UN Security Council condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine

Moscow predictably vetoed a UNSC condemning Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine and demanding “the immediate withdrawal of its troops.” The resolution was carried by 11 members, while India, the UAE and China (surprisingly) abstained. Israel was not among the 81 non-member countries rallied by the US mission to sponsor the motion. Its government decided to refrain from supporting a strong anti-Russian motion, in view of Israel’s relatively warm relations with both Ukraine, a fellow Western democracy, and Moscow. Russian forces control the airspace over Syria. Their acquiescence is pivotal to Israel’s routine use of that airspace to contain Iran’s military entrenchment on its northern border.