VINCERE PRESENTS

AMITY SAKET MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2022

UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL

BACKGROUND GUIDE
AGENDA

RUSSIA-UKRAINE
CONFLICT
_________________________________________________________________________
Letter from the Executive Board
Greetings Everyone,
We welcome you all to this simulation of the Security Council at Amity Model United
Nations 2022. This simulation has been specifically designed by us and the Secretariat
to be the most challenging one at this conference, and therefore, this committee
might turn out to be very competitive but definitely an enriching experience for all of
us. Accordingly, the agenda presented before all of you is a complex one, and we
expect that since you have been selected to participate in the Security Council, you
would push yourselves beyond your limits to perform the best you can.

This background guide has been divided into 3 primary sections :

● Introduction to the Security Council
● Introduction to the Agenda
● Guiding Questions (to give you an idea about the major topics of concern)
It is recommended that the BG be read in this order, as it has been carefully designed
by us to make it easy to comprehend in that order. This background guide is merely
the starting point of your research. The key to being a good delegate in MUNs is your
confidence. No matter how much you have researched, the best way to win in this
Security Council would be by being participative and enthusiastic. Don’t just attend
this conference for the sake of attending it.

We would love to make this as fun for everyone as we can, but every person being
extremely well researched is a very essential prerequisite for achieving our aim. Keep
in mind that participants of this committee will be held to certain high standards.

Lastly, the three of us love to maintain a friendly environment, but note that
diplomatic courtesy is something taken very seriously in our committee. Please feel
free to contact us without hesitation if you feel the need to. I hope we make this a
memorable experience for all those who attend.
And in case of even the slightest of queries, feel free to mail us at
madhavxyz07@gmail.com.
Best of Luck!

President Vice President

Madhav Sharma Saksham Jain
Introduction to the UN Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the most important decision making
bodies in the UN. There are 15 permanent members in the UNSC, and a number of
other observer nations are invited to specific sessions. For the purpose of this
simulation, you need not worry about being an observer, since we shall treat all
members equally. However, we do recommend that for your own knowledge you
read about how observers contribute in real life.

A special feature of the UNSC, that will be incorporated in our conference as well, is
the Veto Powers of the P5 nations. Historically, 5 countries - USA, UK, Russia, France
and China have been the frontal forces in terms of monetary contribution and
support to the UN. Thus, they have been rewarded with a special benefit in the
Security Council called the Veto Power.
The “veto power” means that these P5 countries can choose to veto any substantive
document such as a Draft Resolution and prevent the document from being
implemented, irrespective of how the rest of the UNSC votes. Thus, in order to pass
a resolution in the committee, you must ensure that none of the P5 countries will be
voting against you.
This veto power DOES NOT apply to any procedural vote, such as passing of a motion
and in every other aspect, i.e. recognitions for speaking these veto countries DO NOT
have an advantage.

In order to fully understand the purpose of the SC, one must know about the
circumstances under which the SC was created. Like the UN as a whole, the Security
Council was created after World War II to address the failings of the League of
Nations in maintaining world peace. It held its first session on 17 January 1946, and
in the ensuing decades was largely paralyzed by the Cold War between the United
States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. Nevertheless, it authorised
military interventions in the Korean War and the Congo Crisis and peacekeeping
missions in the Suez Crisis, Cyprus, and West New Guinea.
After the Cold War, the UN saw a radical expansion in its peacekeeping duties, taking
on more missions in ten years' time than it had in its previous four decades. All
members of the Security Council are signatory to the NPT, and all permanent
members are nuclear weapons states.
Mandate
A very important thing to keep in mind when you try to propose solutions in this
council is the mandate of the council. The word ‘mandate’ basically refers to the
authority or powers of the council. This is important as you would have to ensure
that any of the solutions you propose is within the mandate of your committee or in
other words your solution is something which your committee can enforce.

Eg: It is not within the mandate of the Indian government to decide whether Pakistan
will declare a war. Such a statement may seem senseless and obvious, however in the
United Nations the mandates of councils are usually very intricate. It gives
responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security
Council, which may meet whenever peace is threatened.

Now the UNSC has to always act within its mandate. This mandate is given in the UN
Charter. The UN charter is basically the set of rules for the UN, something like the
constitution of the country.
According to the Charter, the United Nations has four purposes:
● to maintain international peace and security;
● to develop friendly relations among nations;
● to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for
human rights;
● and to be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.

Most of the other organs of the UN have only a recommendatory mandate meaning
they cannot take action themselves but they can recommend that action. However
the security council is an organ which can take actions.

The actions of the SC are specifically mentioned in Chapters 6 and 7 of the UN

charter. The UN charter works in a systematic manner. Chapter 7 which deals with
military actions is only applied in case Pacific Settlement of Disputes ( Chapter 6 )
cannot be achieved. Eg: If something can be solved by peace talks or negotiations
then these means are prioritised and the SC may not even need to take actions under
chapter 7.

Thus we can say that usually the first attempt of the security council is to achieve
peace by peaceful means. But if this is not possible, the security council adopts other
means. These include:
 1. UNDERTAKING INVESTIGATIONS OR MEDIATIONS : It is within the mandate of
the UNSC to establish a subsidiary investigation committee under it. The exact
function and power of this varies from case to case and is discussed in the
council and finalised in a Resolution ( a document the SC passes which would
be further explained in the committee ).

2. APPOINTING SPECIAL ENVOYS : A Special Envoy of the Secretary-General

(SESG) is a senior United Nations official appointed by the United Nations
Secretary-General to deal with a set of specific issues. He/she may even go to
a conflict zone to survey and get a first hand account of the area or to mediate
humanitarian missions. Eg : Mr. Bill Clinton served as a special envoy for Haiti.

When a dispute leads to hostilities, the Council’s primary concern is to bring them to
an end as soon as possible. In that case, the Council may:

1. ISSUE A CEASEFIRE : A ceasefire, also called cease fire, is a temporary

stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend
aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but
they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between
opposing forces.

2. SEND SPECIAL MISSIONS OR PEACEKEEPING FORCES : The United Nations

Peacekeeping Forces are employed by the World Organization to maintain or
re-establish peace in an area of armed conflict. Eg : Due to a lot of tension in
the Central African Republic, the UN decided to send peacekeeping forces
called MINUSCA to re-establish peace.

Beyond this, the Council may opt for enforcement measures, including:

1. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS : In case a particular country is violating law or not

complying with the UN, the UNSC may impose an economic sanction on it.
This means the SC could ask other countries to not trade with this country to
make it financially weak. Eg : Sanctions were imposed in 2014 on the then
president of Yemen.

2. BLOCKADE : Another way to stop trade of a particular country in case it isn’t

complying is by blockading it’s trade routes on the land, sea or air. Eg : UNSC
blocked air routes in Libya in 2015.
Thus, it would be open for all of you to decide which action is necessary. Moreover it
would be even better if you are able to solve things politically or diplomatically by
negotiations.

Before we move on towards a detailed description of the crisis at hand, here are a
few maps and graphics to help you better visualise the information presented.
Introduction to the Agenda
Historical Context
(note that this section does not have direct relevance to today’s conflict but it is helpful to better understand
the underlying reasons)
● In 1783, Ukraine was annexed by Imperial Russia in a largely bloodless event.
The annexation of Ukraine was one of the first steps in the expansion of the
Russian Empire into the Balkans and the Black Sea region.
● In the 19th century, the Russian Empire started to suppress Ukrainian culture
and language. This was done in an attempt to assimilate Ukrainians into
Russian culture. The Russian Empire began moving ethnic Russians into
present-day Ukraine in the 18th century. This process continued into the
Soviet period. As a result, the Russian population in Ukraine increased from
approximately 3.5 million in 1917 to over 34 million by 1989.
● On January 22, 1917, the Ukrainian Central Rada (council) issued the
"Universal of the Ukrainian People" which declared Ukraine's autonomy within
a federal Russian state. On November 2, 1917, the council issued the
"Declaration of Independence of Ukraine" and proclaimed the nation's
sovereignty. A few months later, it proclaimed the establishment of the
Ukrainian People's Republic on January 6, 1918.
● In the Soviet-Ukrainian War (1917-1921), the Ukrainian Bolsheviks defeated
the national government in Kyiv and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist
Republic (SSR). Ukraine SSR then joined hands with Russia to become the
founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922.
● In 1954, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev handed over Crimea to Ukraine SSR.
This move effectively transferred power over the strategically important region
from Russia to Ukraine SSR. The transfer was part of Khrushchev’s vision for a
politically unified Soviet Union. It marked the culmination of centuries of
conflict and competition between Russia and Ukraine over the territory.
● In the beginning of the 1990s, there was massive support within Ukraine to
defect from the Soviet Union. Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk was sworn in as
the first president of independent Ukraine in 1991. He served till 1994.
● In 1994, Ukraine agreed to destroy its nuclear weapons and agreed to join the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). On December 5, 1994, Ukraine,
Russia, Britain and the US signed the Budapest Memorandum. Under the
terms of the memorandum, Ukraine was promised security assurances in
connection with its accession to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state.
● Since Putin took charge of the Russian Federation in 2000 he has since won 3
more terms with a lot of media attention falling on his third and fourth terms
 due to his “Frenemy” relationship that he has fostered with former United
States President Donald Trump alongside his involvement in the war in Crimea.
● In March of 2014, President Vladimir Putin declared that Crimea had always
been a part of Russia and has even gone as far as supporting the
Russian-backed Ukrainian Separatist movement of those wishing to be Russian
citizens rather than Ukrainian citizens. On March 18th Vladimir Putin signed a
treaty that annexed Crimea to be a part of the Russian Federation and just
three days later on March 21st both houses of the Russian Parliament ratified
the treaty officially annexing Crimea to become a Russian Territory. Since the
annexation of Crimea President Vladimir Putin has since set his sights on
neighbouring Ukraine.

Background to the Current Conflict

● Beginning in February 2015, France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine attempted
to kickstart negotiations and broker a cessation in violence through the Minsk
Accords. The agreement framework included provisions for a cease-fire,
withdrawal of heavy weaponry, and full Ukrainian government control
throughout the conflict zone. However, efforts to reach a diplomatic
settlement and satisfactory resolution were largely unsuccessful.
● In April 2016, NATO announced that the alliance would deploy four battalions
to Eastern Europe, rotating troops through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and
Poland to deter possible future Russian aggression elsewhere in Europe,
particularly in the Baltics.
● In September 2017, the United States also deployed two U.S. Army tank
brigades to Poland to further bolster NATO’s presence in the region. In January
2018, the United States imposed new sanctions on twenty-one
individuals–including a number of Russian officials–and nine companies linked
to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
● In March 2018, the State Department approved the sale of anti-tank weapons
to Ukraine, the first sale of lethal weaponry since the conflict began. In
October 2018, Ukraine joined the United States and seven other NATO
countries in a series of large-scale air exercises in western Ukraine. The
exercises came after Russia held its annual military exercises in September
2018, the largest since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Present Situation
Since October of 2021, tensions between Ukraine and Russia began to escalate once
again. On October 11, 2021, the Russian Deputy Chairman of the Security Council
stated that Ukraine was becoming a vassal to the West and that it would be of no use
to negotiate with the Ukrainian government. He described the Ukrainian leadership
as “weak”, “ignorant”, and “unreliable”. This was the first wake-up call to the world
that Russia was not willing to work out the border crisis diplomatically.

On November 13, 2021, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced that

Russia had deployed around as many as 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border,
which surpassed the United State’s estimate of 70,000. The Ukrainian Minister of
Defence warned on December 3rd that there was a very high probability of a
“large-scale escalation” from Russia. Similar reports from US intelligence warned that
there could be military action from Russia as early as the first few months of 2022.

By December, more than one hundred thousand Russian troops were in place near
the RussiaUkraine border and U.S. intelligence officials warned that Russia may be
planning an invasion for early 2022. In mid-December 2021, Russia’s foreign ministry
issued a set of demands calling for the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) to cease any military activity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,
to commit against further NATO expansion toward Russia, and to prevent Ukraine
from joining NATO in the future. The United States and other NATO allies rejected
these demands and warned Russia they would impose severe economic sanctions if
Russia invaded Ukraine. The United States sent additional military assistance to
Ukraine, including ammunition, small arms, and other defensive weaponry.

Invasion Phase I (24 Feb - 7 April)

The invasion began at dawn of 24 February, with infantry divisions and armoured and
air support in Eastern Ukraine, and dozens of missile attacks across both Eastern
Ukraine and Western Ukraine. The first fighting took place in Luhansk Oblast near
Milove village on the border with Russia at 3:40 am Kyiv time. The main infantry and
tank attacks were launched in four spearhead incursions, creating a northern front
launched towards Kyiv, a southern front originating in Crimea, a south-eastern front
launched at the cities of Luhansk and Donbas, and an eastern front.

On 25 March, a Ukrainian counter-offensive retook several towns to the east and

west of Kyiv, including Makariv. Russian troops in the Bucha area retreated north at
the end of March. Ukrainian forces entered the city on 1 April. Ukraine said it had
recaptured the entire region around Kyiv, including Irpin, Bucha, and Hostomel, and
uncovered evidence of war crimes in Bucha.

The U.S. continued to commit military assistance to Ukraine; following Ukrainian

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to the U.S. Congress on March 16, Biden
announced an additional $800 million in military assistance. Since Russia’s invasion,
the United States has committed $3.4 billion in security assistance, including heavy
weapons and artillery. The United States has also dramatically increased the numbers
of U.S. troops in Europe, bringing the total to more than one hundred thousand. The
United Nations, G7, EU, and other countries continue to condemn Russian actions
and support Ukrainian forces. In an emergency United Nations session on March 2,
141 of 193 member states voted to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and
demanded that Russia immediately cease its use of force in Ukraine.

On 5 July, BBC reported that extensive destruction by the Russian invasion would
cause immense financial damage to Ukraine's reconstruction economy.

Invasion Phase II (8 April-present)

By 17 April, Russian progress on the south-eastern front appeared to be impeded by
troops continuing to hold out in an abandoned steel mill in Mariupol and refusing to
surrender. However, by May, Russian troops had completely surrounded this steel
mill, and Ukrainian president Zelenskyy gave the troops permission to surrender.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed that the fighters who surrendered
would be treated "in accordance with international standards"

As of 30 April, a NATO official described Russian advances as "uneven" and "minor".

Russia has run into numerous logistics problems during the invasion which has
hampered its progress.

By June 2022, Russia had not achieved air superiority, having lost around 165 of its
combat aircraft over Ukraine which amounted to approximately 10% of its frontline
combat strength.

At present, the conflict can be said to be in a sort of stalemate, with only minor
advances over July. This gives the Security Council the perfect opportunity to
analyse the humanitarian, legal and economic implications of this conflict and
devise a strategy to demilitarise the region. The primary aim is to end all violence in
the region and come up with a solution that would be agreeable to both parties.
International Reactions
Western Bloc (United States, United Kingdom, France and NATO Members)
The Western Bloc, primarily being made up of NATO members, is against the ongoing
conflict within Ukraine. Due to the nature of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation,
and the necessity for those that are members to fight a war against any one country
that may launch an attack on a member state, the Western Bloc is concerned with
Russia pushing further past Ukraine into the NATO member state of Poland. On the
global stage Western Countries namely those that are members of the P5 have taken
a staunch adversarial stance to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

Eastern Bloc (China)

With the Eastern Bloc consisting of both India and China the overall stance on the
conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one of neutrality. With both countries being
involved in diplomatic talks with members of the Kremlin, both countries have
maintained a neutral disposition on the conflict and have utilised the right of
abstention when it comes to voting on resolutions within Security Council meetings.
African Bloc
While some African nations, such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, have expressed their
condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, most African countries have largely
remained silent and neutral. In fact, over 23 African nations abstained on the vote to
remove Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, with other nine nations outright
voting against it. This can be traced to African countries’ strong relationship with
Moscow, as the former USSR came to the aid of many African nations during the Cold
War. Countries in this bloc have to consider their history with Russia, but also their
relation to Western nations before taking a stance on the conflict.

Arab League
Arab regions’ stance on the conflict has been inconsistent: Starting by failing to
condemn Russia’s actions and even signalling a pro-Russia stance in the early days of
the invasion, there was a shift from certain Arab nations - Namely, the United Arab
Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt - by taking part in the General Assembly’s
condemnation of Russia. Countries in the Arab League have strong ties to Western
countries but heavily rely on food supplies from Russia. As of April 12th, 2022, the
Arab League has offered to mediate a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with
food shortages in the Middle Eastern region being a driving concern. Though nations
in the Arab League have mostly remained neutral in hopes of reaching a swift
conclusion, countries in this bloc need to be wary of Arab nations’ strong ties and
partnerships with Western countries.

Russian Federation
With the Russian Federation being a nation that is granted the right to utilise a veto
due to its membership of the Permanent 5, as well as a member state involved in the
conflict at hand, the Russian Federation has taken a strong stance against those who
seek to interfere in what Russia views as a matter that should not involve the UN.
Due to the strong stance being adopted by the Russian Federation it is critical that
diplomatic solutions be worked towards rather than utilising the veto power.

Ukraine
As a direct part of the crisis, Ukraine has taken a stand of Retaliation against the
Russian Federation while also calling for peace. Ukraine has consistently maintained a
stance of direct opposition to any countries who may be abstaining from taking sides
on the matter, even stating that they were ‘saddened to see a small handful of
delegates tolerating the war, as they should oppose it to protect their own nationals
in that country.’
Border Countries (Romania, Poland)
Ukraine’s neighbouring countries have taken a direct stance of condemnation of
Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. These countries have also expressed direct support
towards Ukraine by changing policies to be able to take in as many Ukrainian
Refugees as possible.

Poland remains the main country of arrival for refugees from Ukraine, with more
than 3.5 million having entered the country since the start of the war on 24 February.

After Poland, Romania has seen the second highest influx of Ukrainian refugees since
the war began on February 24, with Russia’s invasion. Romania has also facilitated
arms agreements between NATO and Ukraine.

Guiding Questions
● What immediate steps can be taken to protect civilians and prevent military
escalation under the ambit of the Security Council?

● Are the International Court of Justice and International Commission on Inquiry

of Ukraine fair bodies to judge the alleged war crimes? What is the relevance
of the invasion with regards to humanitarian and refugee law? How can the
legality of this crisis be considered with regards to Article 51 and 2(4) of the
UN Charter?

● What is the most effective way to broker peace between the nations? Are
there innovative solutions that the international community can recommend
which would be agreeable to both the parties? Who will own and administer
the territory gained by Russia during the invasion going forward?

● Are the currently imposed economic sanctions effective? What can be done to
tackle the other socio-economic adversities such as poverty, blackouts, rising
prices etc. ?

● What is the best way for humanitarian operations to be conducted in the

affected region given that military operation is still ongoing? How can the
attacks on dams, grain shelters and other humanitarian relief centres be
prevented?

● How has the presence of NATO escalated the conflict? What is your stance on
NATO’s involvement in the region? Was Russia right in feeling threatened by
the growing NATO involvement?

● How can the military aspect of the conflict be de-escalated to a level such that
the threat of nuclear weapons is eliminated?
Note from the Executive Board
● Chits will be suspended in the committee by the discretion of the executive
board. This has been done keeping in mind the small size of the committee
and it is preferred if delegates try to convey their information verbally
whenever possible.

● The most important thing in AMUN is participation. We assure you that we

all are here to learn and the only way to do that is by trying and speaking at
every possible instance.

● Besides participation, it is imperative that delegates pay attention to

practicality and foreign policy while suggesting solutions, as both these
criteria will be considered by the Executive Board.