The draft resolution, prepared by the European Union and supported by dozens of countries from different continents, received 143 votes against 5, with 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.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya insisted that his country was acting in Ukraine in defense of the population and that the referendums and subsequent annexation were supported by the local population.
In addition to demanding that Russia reverse its annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye, the resolution states that Moscow’s actions violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and are not in line with the principles of the UN Charter.
The resolution unequivocally condemns Russia’s “so-called illegal referenda” and “attempted illegal annexation” and declares that they are invalid under international law.
The text also contains language supporting the reduction and promotion of conflict resolution through “political dialogue, negotiations, mediation and other peaceful means” in relation to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and in line with the principles of the Charter of Nations.
