The United Nations instructed its employees not to use the words “war” and “invasion” in reference to the conflict in Ukraine.
The organization’s communications department advised against using “specific” language in reference to the full-scale invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Employees were also advised against uploading photos of the Ukrainian flag to their personal social media accounts.
“Use ‘conflict’ or ‘military offensive’ and NOT ‘war’ or ‘invasion’ when referring to the situation in Ukraine. … This is an important reminder that we, as international civil servants, have a responsibility to be impartial,” the department wrote in an email reviewed by the Irish Times. “There is a serious possibility of reputational risk that has been flagged by senior officials recently.”
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Teachta Dala Neale Richmond, the spokesman on European affairs for the Fine Gael party in Ireland, told the outlet that because Russia, one of the five countries that hold permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, has “an essential role” in the organization, it is attempting to influence policy in a direction “that’s simply false.”
“Quite clearly this is not just any war, but an illegal war of aggression, that should be condemned from a height by all members of the U.N. and the U.N. itself,” he added.
After earning approval from both chambers of the Russian Parliament, Putin signed legislation into effect on Friday that punishes journalists with prison time if they publish stories containing language that seems to contradict Russian officials’ accounts of the conflict in Ukraine. Journalists who are found guilty could face up to 15 years in prison.
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While countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, other nations, including China, have adopted a softer approach, refusing to condemn the Eastern European power even as they pledge to send humanitarian aid to Ukrainians.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the U.N. for a statement but did not receive a response back.
