UN Condemns Russia's Move To Annex Ukrainian Regions

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to condemn Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine, a move US President Joe Biden said sent a "clear message" to Moscow.

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine, a move US President Joe Biden said sent a "clear message" to Moscow.

The General Assembly approved the resolution with 143 in favor and five countries against, but 35 countries abstained, including China and India.

South Africa and Pakistan despite significant US diplomatic efforts to seek a clearer condemnation of Moscow.

The resolution condemns "the Russian Federation's action-

He called for referendums within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders" and the "unlawful annexation attempt" announced last month by President Vladimir Putin in four regions.

It calls on all UN and international agencies not to recognize any changes announced by Russia to the border and demands that Moscow "immediately and unconditionally reverse" its decisions.

Biden said in a White House statement that the vote showed Russia that it "cannot wipe a sovereign country off the map."

"By attacking the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, Russia is tearing the foundations of international peace and security," the statement said. "The dangers of this conflict are clear to everyone - and the world has sent a clear message in response."

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield

She urged all nations to send a message that the world "will not tolerate the seizure of neighbour's land by force."

"Today Russia invades Ukraine. But tomorrow it may be another country whose territory is being encroached upon. It could be you. It could be next. What do you expect from this room?" She said.

international condemnation

The United States has expended special energy in seeking to persuade South Africa and especially India, a growing American partner that has a close historical relationship with Russia and has also abstained from voting on the Security Council, where it holds a non-permanent seat.

The vote was pretty much the same - with two more votes net against Russia -

As happened when the General Assembly in March condemned the initial invasion of Ukraine.

Bangladesh, Iraq and Senegal - which abstained in March - voted on Wednesday to condemn Russia.

Eritrea, one of the world's most closed countries, has gone from "no" to abstaining, while Nicaragua, under increasing international pressure on human rights,

It switched from abstaining from voting "no" to only Russia, Belarus, North Korea and Syria.

“South Africa considers the territorial integrity of states and the safety of Ukraine sacred, and we reject all actions that undermine the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law,” said the representative of South Africa.

Matthew Guyenne.

"We abstained from voting on the resolution because we believe that the objective of this Assembly in line with its mandate should always be to contribute to a constructive outcome conducive to a lasting peace in Ukraine," she said.

Western powers reply that Russia is not really interested in peace,

As evidenced by the deadly strikes on civilians in Kyiv and western Ukraine.

India's envoy, Rushira Kamboj, said "the entire global south had suffered significant collateral damage" from the war, and that "urgent issues" were not addressed in the resolution.

Bangladesh, explaining its move to condemn Russia,

He said that the international community should stand firmly against any attempt by Israel to annex the occupied Palestinian territories.

BY
ProBuzzFeed