Egypt rejects economic sanctions on Russia outside 'multilateral system' as it votes in favor of UN resolution against attack on Ukraine

CAIRO – 3 March 2022: Egypt voted in favor of a Tuesday UN resolution demanding an end to the Russian operation on Ukraine, but also said the causes leading up to the crisis and resolving them to achieve peace and stability.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry rejected economic sanctions outside the framework of the international and multilateral system, considering their adverse humanitarian effects in past experiences that have aggravated the suffering of civilians over decades.

“The effectiveness and credibility of multilateral international and multilateral action against successive challenges and crises depend on handling all international crises per consistent criteria based on the principles of purposes of the UN charter without letting decades pass where fait accompli and human suffering are entrenched,” the statement said.

Egypt also called for ensuring that humanitarian aid is given to everyone in need without discrimination and that foreign residents in Ukraine are allowed a smooth passage across the borders, given that reports indicated discriminatory treatment.

It also warned about the economic and social consequences of the crisis on the global economy, which has not fully recovered from the repercussions of the pandemic.

A total of 141 countries in the UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution condemning the Russian military operation in Ukraine, while five countries voted against it and 35 abstained.