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The
special session of the European region passed the resolution,
supported by Ukraine and the European Union, with 43 in favour
and 3 against (Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan) and 2 abstentions.
Backers consider it an important political step to isolate
Moscow and said they were at pains to avoid any major impact on
Russia's health system. The resolution referred to a "health
emergency" in Ukraine, referring to mass casualties as well as
risks of chronic and infectious diseases that have resulted from
Russia's military actions.
Russia's envoy Andrey Plutnitsky opposed the resolution and said
he was "extremely disappointed".
"We believe this is a huge moment of harm for the system of
global healthcare," he told the meeting of members and top WHO
officials.
Some have criticised the WHO resolution, saying it does not go
far enough. Diplomats told Reuters they had dropped efforts to
suspend Russia from the WHO executive board due to legal
technicalities, although members could seek to freeze Russia's
voting rights at a major meeting https://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_wha75.html
later this month.
Moscow calls its actions since Feb. 24 a "special military
operation" to disarm Ukraine and rid it of what it calls
anti-Russian nationalism fomented by the West. Ukraine and the
West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression.
(Reporting by Emma FargeEditing by Paul Carrel, William Maclean)
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