UNITED NATIONS, New York
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a non-binding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and demands the withdrawal of its forces.
The move sends a strong
message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that Moscow's
aggression must end.
The 141-7 vote with 32
abstentions was slightly below the highest vote for the five previous
resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and
tanks across the border into its smaller neighbour on February 24, 2022.
The General Assembly's resolutions
may be non-binding but are a powerful barometer of international opinion.
The UN Security Council is the world body responsible for maintaining peace and security but is paralysed by Russia's veto because the country is a permanent member.
Foreign ministers and
diplomats from more than 75 countries addressed the assembly during two days of
debate, with many urging support for the resolution that upholds Ukraine’s
territorial integrity.
That is a basic principle of
the UN Charter that all countries must subscribe to when they join the world
organisation.
In his appeal to the assembly, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said Ukrainians deserve “not only our compassion but also our support and solidarity.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister,
Annalena Baerbock, asked countries that claim “that by arming Ukraine, we are
pouring oil into the fire” why Western nations would do that.
"The West didn’t want or
choose the war and would rather focus all its energy and money on fixing
schools, fighting the climate crisis or strengthening social justice," she
told the assembly. “But the truth is: If Russia stops fighting, this war ends.
If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends.”
Venezuela’s deputy ambassador
addressed the council on behalf of 16 countries that either voted against or
abstained on almost all five previous resolutions on Ukraine: Belarus, Bolivia,
Cambodia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua,
North Korea, St. Vincent, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
While other countries focused on Russia’s actions, Deputy Ambassador Joaquín Pérez Ayestarán said Wednesday that all countries without exception "must stringently comply with the United Nations Charter."
He said the countries in his
group were against what he called divisive action in the General Assembly, and
for "a spirit of compromise."
China’s deputy UN ambassador
Dai Bing told the assembly Thursday: “We support Russia and Ukraine in moving
towards each other, resuming direct dialogue as soon as possible, bringing
their legitimate concerns into the negotiation, setting out feasible options,
and giving a chance to an early end of the crisis and the rebuilding of peace.”
“The international community
should make joint efforts to facilitate peace talks.”
But European Union foreign
policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters the aggressor and the victim can’t be
put on equal terms, and Ukraine cannot be asked not to defend itself.
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