The United Nations General Assembly Wednesday adopted a resolution by a huge majority condemning Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine” and demanding that it withdraw from the neighboring country.
The vote, after three days of debate in the emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly, was 141 in favor to 5 against, with 35 abstentions, including India and Pakistan.
Ahead of the vote, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram also told the delegates that the Pakistani leader has regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine, and had hoped that diplomacy could avert military conflict.
“We have since repeatedly stressed the need for de-escalation, renewed negotiations, sustained dialogue, and continuous diplomacy,” he said.
The UNGA resolution “demands that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” It also expresses “grave concern at reports of attacks on civilian facilities such as residences, schools, and hospitals, and of civilian casualties, including women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and children.”
Last week, Russia vetoed a similar resolution at the 15-member Security Council. No other nation opposed it, and China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained. Eleven nations supported it. Russia’s vote led to the convening of the special session of the General Assembly where no nation has vote power.
Russian diplomats, including Vassily Nebenzia, the country’s ambassador to the U.N., have called the attacks against Ukraine a “special military operation” intended to defend two separatist regions.
Russia has destroyed critical infrastructure, including drinking water and gas for millions of people and appeared to be preparing to increase the brutality of its campaign against Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a speech to the General Assembly.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.
“Now, at more than any other point in recent history, the United Nations is being challenged,” she said and made a plea: “Vote yes if you believe UN member states – including your own – have a right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. Vote yes if you believe Russia should be held to account for its actions.”
In Washington, President Joe Biden announced closure of airspace to Russian flights, saying the United States and its allies are holding President Vladimir Putin accountable in unprecedented ways.
Russia’s Ambassador Nebenzia denied that Moscow was targeting civilians and warned that the adoption of the resolution might spur further escalation.
