UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory

On February 24, marking the third anniversary of the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution on the war in Ukraine, prepared by Kiev and European countries. Along with the United States and Russia, Uzbekistan also voted against this document.

The document condemns Russian aggression and demands a speedy end to the war and compensation for the damage caused to Ukraine.

93 UN member states voted in favor of the resolution, 18 voted against, and 65 abstained.

Although the resolutions are not binding, they are seen as a barometer of opinion around the world. This result is lower than in previous years, when more than 140 countries condemned Russia's aggression and demanded the end of its annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

Speaking during the debate before the vote, most of the supporters of the resolution, representatives of the European Union countries, recalled that Russia's large-scale military invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked and aggressive, resulting in the deaths of people, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the forced displacement of millions of people.

Representatives of countries that did not agree with the draft text mainly spoke about the need for both warring states to cease hostilities as soon as possible and move towards a diplomatic settlement.

Russia's UN envoy Vassily Nebenzya reiterated that Ukraine had provoked the conflict by establishing a "Nazi regime" in the country. Russia also proposed amendments to the draft resolution aimed at eliminating the "root cause of the conflict," but they were rejected in the vote.

The UN General Assembly also approved a draft resolution prepared by the United States on the war in Ukraine. The document was adopted with amendments from European countries, in particular, the word "conflict" was replaced with "full-scale aggression". This draft resolution is more neutral and does not condemn Russia. The document expresses grief over the loss of life during the "Russia-Ukraine conflict" and calls for "a speedy end to the conflict and the establishment of a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia." It was adopted by 93 countries, with 8 against and 73 abstentions.