Singapore abstained from Thursday's (7 April) vote to exclude Russia from the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
Russia was suspended following a vote in the United Nations General Assembly, with 93 nations voting in favor, 24 voting against, and 58 abstaining.
The US advocated for Russia's suspension, with the vote's draft wording expressing "grave concern about the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crises in Ukraine."
Suspending Russia from the Geneva-based Council requires a two-thirds vote of the 193-member General Assembly's voting members.
According to a memo obtained by Reuters, Russia has warned nations that voting in favor or abstaining is a "unfriendly gesture" that will impact bilateral relations.
Singapore withdrew after voting in favor of two separate UN resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.
Singapore, along with 140 other nations, voted for a resolution condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine on 2 March, following the country's full-scale invasion of its neighbor on 24 February. Five nations abstained from voting on the resolution, while 35 countries abstained.
With no hint of a retreat by Russia, the emergency session reconvened on 24 March to vote on a resolution repeating the UN's demand that Russia withdraw from Ukraine and condemning the assaults on Ukraine's civilian population and infrastructure. Singapore joined 139 other nations in voting in favor of the resolution, while five countries voted against it and 38 abstained.
Singapore has been named by the Kremlin as one of the nations and territories that have engaged in "hostile measures" against Russia, its businesses, and nationals.
The city-state and a number of other nations have issued broad sanctions on Russia. It has implemented export bans on things capable of being used directly as weapons in Ukraine, as well as specific financial penalties against Russia.
Several Singaporean officials have issued vehement condemnations of Russia's assault towards Ukraine.
"We cannot allow a country assaulting another without reason and claiming that his independence was the product of 'historical blunders and irrational decisions.' Such a justification would contradict several countries' internationally recognized legitimacy and geographical integrity, including Singapore "On 28 February, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan addressed Parliament.
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