The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on March 2, 2022, condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demanding that Moscow immediately withdraw all its forces from Ukraine. The resolution passed with 141 votes in favour, five against and 35 abstentions.
Who voted against
Only Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea voted against the resolution, titled “Aggression against Ukraine,” at an emergency special session of the 193-member assembly. China, India, South Africa, Cuba and Nicaragua were among the countries that abstained.
Demands
The resolution deplores Russia’s aggression, demands a complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory and calls on Moscow to reverse its recognition of the so-called “people’s republics” in Donetsk and Luhansk. It also deplores Belarus’s involvement in the invasion.
“End hostilities now”
“The message of the General Assembly is loud and clear: End hostilities in Ukraine — now,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. Ukraine’s ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said Russian forces had come “to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist.” Russia’s envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the document would not allow an end to military activities.
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight. Russia had vetoed a similar draft in the Security Council on February 25.
Sources
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