- On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly unanimously voted against Russia’s annexation of Ukraine.
- The 193-member group supported Ukraine by 143 countries, while 35 abstained.
- Only five countries voted in opposition to the measure, one of them being Russia.
The UN General Assembly issued Wednesday a strong condemnation of Russia’s attempt to annexe four territories in Ukraine. This was a strong display of global disapproval.
Russia’s recent annexation to Russia was the catalyst for this vote Ukraine partially-occupied territoriesThe Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk regions are included. In its measure, the UN General Assembly demanded that Russia reverse this land grab.
During Wednesday’s vote, the 193-member body gave its strongest support to Ukraine yet. 143 countries condemned Russia’s actions while 35 abstained from voting.
Five countries voted against this resolution, including Russia. North Korea, Belarus, Syria, and Nicaragua — all led by dictator-like regimes — joined the increasingly isolated nation.
The remaining 10 countries did not vote — a slight, technical distinction from the abstention option.
The German Foreign Office tweeted a picture of the vote results after the election. It said: “That’s what being on the wrong side”
—GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) October 12, 2022
This was a more forceful response than Western officials expected. It also represented the strongest showing of support by the UN General Assembly since February’s war. In the three months since Russia invaded Ukraine, the body has voted on four resolutions. These included a demand for a cease-fire from Russia and a measure to remove Russia from the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Many nations, which had previously abstained, or not voted, joined the majority to vote “yes” Wednesday, including Bangladesh and Morocco. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other surprises were included.
Sergiy Kyslytsya is Ukraine’s ambassador at the UN and called the vote “historic.” The Associated PressOlof Skoog, Ambassador to the European Union, said that Russia’s vote sent a message to Russia.
This vote took place after the UN General Assembly met on Monday. The body unanimously vetoed Russia’s attempts to conduct an annexation referendum via secret ballot. In which was the initial gathering. The Ukrainian delegate received applause, while the Russian ambassador was greeted with silenceIt foreshadowed what was to come.
To ensure Thursday’s resolution passed, the Western nations exerted significant lobbying efforts and celebrated the victory as an invigorated sign that they support Ukraine.
Although the General Assembly’s resolutions are indicative of a global approach, they aren’t legally binding.
