Countries that refuse to side with Ukraine in the war against Russia are "accomplices" of the new Russian imperialism.
This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron at the session of the UN General Assembly, writes "European Truth" with reference to Politico.
"Those who are silent today are serving - against their will or secretly with some complicity - the cause of the new imperialism," Macron said.
Macron said Russia's aggression against Ukraine marked a "return to the era of imperialism and colonies" and that the world faced a choice between "war and peace".
While Western allies such as France have shown a united front against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the response in Africa and Asia has been more subdued.
Some countries do not want to condemn Russia too strongly. This trend was reflected in the April UN vote, when 58 countries, including India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, abstained from voting on a resolution to expel Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
The French president acknowledged the "sense of injustice" felt by countries affected by the war's effects on food, energy and their economies. But he also issued a strong warning to those who want to remain "neutral."
"Today I want to say clearly: those who want to imitate the non-alignment struggle by refusing to speak clearly are making a mistake and will bear a historical responsibility," he said, referring to the non-aligned movement of the Cold War.
Macron also announced in his speech that France will finance the transportation of Ukrainian wheat to Somalia in partnership with the UN World Food Program.