UN General Assembly Ukraines resolution finds an overwhelming majority

UN General Assembly: Ukraine’s resolution finds an overwhelming majority

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine by an overwhelming majority. 140 countries in the largest UN body with 193 members voted in favor of the text submitted by Ukraine on Thursday.

38 countries abstained, only 5 countries voted against the resolution, which was clearly aimed at Russia: in addition to the Moscow aggressor, there were Syria, Belarus, North Korea and Eritrea.


West voted unanimously in favor


The resolution calls, inter alia, to “the immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular all attacks on civilians and civilian facilities”. Moscow must immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine, stop, inter alia, attacks on schools and hospitals. There is also concern about the world hunger crisis caused by the large share of grain exports from Ukraine. Refugees – especially from third countries – should not be treated as racists.

While the Western world has complied with the resolution almost seamlessly, important nations such as China, India and Iran have abstained. A rival South African motion for a resolution has caused concern recently. The text was much more neutral and did not mention Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, a majority in the General Assembly declined to vote on the text.


symbolic gesture


From the point of view of Russia’s opponents, the adopted resolution is also intended to increase pressure on Moscow. It remains doubtful whether the humanitarian solution – which in some places is very similar to that of a few weeks ago – will improve local aid in a crisis area. The United Nations stressed on Wednesday that it could provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid without an official decision. Unlike a stronger Security Council, a General Assembly resolution is not binding under international law.