The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) approved this Wednesday, with an overwhelming majority of 143 votes, a resolution condemning the annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia, reinforcing Moscow’s isolation on the international stage.
The draft resolution, prepared by the European Union and co-sponsored by dozens of countries from different continents, obtained 143 votes in favor, five against and 35 abstentions.
“The UN will not tolerate attempts at annexation by force,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield said minutes before the vote.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, insisted that his country is acting in Ukraine in defense of a population and that the referendums, and the consequent annexation, had the support of the local population.
In addition to demanding that Russia revoke the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, the resolution declares that Moscow’s actions violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter.
The resolution clearly condemns Russia’s “so-called illegal referendums” and “illegal annexation attempt” and says they are invalid under international law.
The text also includes language that supports conflict reduction and promotes conflict resolution through “political dialogue, negotiation, mediation and other peaceful means”, with respect to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
Source: TSF
