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UN demands Russia to withdraw agreement with Ukraine, India abstains from voting



Monitors in the United Nations General Assembly Hall display the results of a vote on a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. photo credit: Reuters

The vote in the 193-member United Nations General Assembly was 143-5, with 35 abstaining, the world body's strongest support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion and annexation of the four regions.

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's "attempts to illegally annex" four Ukrainian territories and, in its immediate reversal, strong global opposition to the seven-month war and annexation of its neighbour's territory. of Moscow's effort.

The vote was 143-5 with 35 votes in the 193-member world body. It was the General Assembly's strongest support for Ukraine and against Russia among the four resolutions adopted since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24 February.

Is India bound by its relations with Russia?

Ukraine's U.N. The U.S. ambassador, Sergei Kislitsia, called the vote "wonderful" and "a historic moment". US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said supporters were "taking our breath away" and called it "a memorial day". EU Ambassador Olof Skog called it "a huge success", which "sends a resounding message to Russia that they are isolated and isolated."

US President Joe Biden said in a statement that the vote demonstrated to the world that "Russia is more united and more determined than ever to hold it accountable for its violations." It is "a clear message" that "Russia cannot wipe a sovereign state off the map" and it cannot "change borders by force," he said.

The Western-sponsored proposal was a response to Russia's announced annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions last month. Moscow took action after a Kremlin-orchestrated "referendum" that the Ukrainian government and the West dismissed as fake votes conducted on occupied lands amid war and displacement.

Violation of the United Nations Charter

During two days of speeches to the assembly, the speaker accused Russia of violating key principles of the United Nations Charter – the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states, during a resumed emergency special session on the Speaker of Ukraine. respect for

Ahead of Wednesday's vote, there was intense lobbying by supporters of the EU-backed resolution.

US envoy Thomas-Greenfield told the assembly before the vote that when the United Nations was founded on the ashes of World War II, it was built on an idea - "that there will never again be a need for one country to take another's territory by force." will not be allowed."

Later, she told reporters that the vote meant "in the eyes of the world and the United Nations, Ukraine has the same borders."

"The resolution sends a very important signal to Moscow and all: it doesn't matter whether you are a nation big or small, rich or poor, old or new. If you are a member of the United Nations, then Your borders are yours and are protected by international law," said Ms Thomas-Greenfield. "They cannot be recreated by force by anyone else."

results beyond expectation

A major issue for Western proponents of the proposal was how many countries would support it, and the result was beyond their most optimistic expectations.

The General Assembly voted 141–5 with 35 absentees on 2 March to demand an immediate Russian ceasefire, the withdrawal of all its troops and protection for all civilians. On March 24, it voted 140-5 with 38 votes on a resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine's humanitarian crisis and urging an immediate ceasefire and protection for millions of civilians and homes, schools and hospitals.

But the Assembly voted Russia to the U.N. on 7 April with a narrow margin. of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council over allegations of infringing on the rights of Russian troops in Ukraine that the United States and Ukraine have called a war crime. That vote was 93–24 with 58 votes.

A 2014 resolution reaffirming Ukraine's territorial integrity and declaring the referendum that led to the annexation of Russia's Crimean peninsula was adopted by a vote of 100-11 with 58 votes.

US envoy Thomas-Greenfield told the assembly before the vote that when the United Nations was founded on the ashes of World War II, it was built on an idea - "that there will never again be a need for one country to take another's territory by force." will not be allowed."

Later, she told reporters that the vote meant "in the eyes of the world and the United Nations, Ukraine has the same borders."

“The resolution also sends an enormously important signal to Moscow and to everyone: It does not matter if you as a nation are big or small, rich or poor, old or new. If you are a U. N. member state, your borders are your own and are protected by international law," Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said. “They cannot be redrawn by anyone else by force."

Result beyond expectations

A key issue for the resolution’s Western backers was how many countries would support it, and the result went beyond their most optimistic expectations.

The General Assembly voted 141-5 with 35 abstentions March 2 to demand an immediate Russian ceasefire, withdrawal of all its troops and protection for all civilians. On March 24, it voted 140-5 with 38 abstentions on a resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis and urging an immediate ceasefire and protection for millions of civilians and the homes, schools and hospitals critical to their survival.

But the assembly voted by a far smaller margin April 7 to suspend Russia from the U. N.'s Geneva-based Human Rights Council over allegations Russian soldiers in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the United States and Ukraine have called war crimes. That vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions.

A 2014 resolution affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity and declaring the referendum that led to Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula illegal was adopted by a vote of 100-11 with 58 abstentions.

This proposal sends a very important signal to Moscow and all: it doesn't matter whether you as a nation are big or small, rich or poor, old or new. If you are a member of the United Nations, your borders are your own and protected by international law," said Ms. Thomas-Greenfield. "They cannot be redrawn by force by anyone else."

results beyond expectation

A major issue for Western proponents of the proposal was how many countries would support it, and the result was beyond their most optimistic expectations.

The General Assembly voted 141–5 with 35 absentees on 2 March to demand an immediate Russian ceasefire, the withdrawal of all its troops and protection for all civilians. On March 24, it voted 140-5 with 38 votes on a resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine's humanitarian crisis and urging an immediate ceasefire and protection for millions of civilians and homes, schools and hospitals.

But the Assembly voted Russia to the U.N. on 7 April with a narrow margin. of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council over allegations of infringing on the rights of Russian troops in Ukraine that the United States and Ukraine have called a war crime. That vote was 93–24 with 58 votes.

A 2014 resolution reaffirming Ukraine's territorial integrity and declaring the referendum that led to the annexation of Russia's Crimean peninsula was adopted by a vote of 100-11 with 58 votes.

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