A large majority – 141 countries – voted in favor of the resolution, while 32 countries, including Asian heavyweights China and India, abstained. Seven countries, including Russia, voted against the resolution.
Almost a year ago, in March 2022, a similar resolution was passed by the United Nations. The number of supporters of an end to the war remained the same at 141. However, 35 abstained and five supported Russia.
Which countries voted against the resolution and sided with Russia?
Mali, which on two previous occasions abstained from voting on UN resolutions on Ukraine, changed its position to vote against this week’s resolution in favor of Russia.
His government has again received Russian military aid as the Kremlin seeks to expand its global influence. Earlier this month, Malian authorities welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on a visit aimed at strengthening security and economic cooperation. Last year, the Washington Post reported that hundreds of fighters from the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization, had come to Mali after a coup to fight militant Islamists.
In addition to Mali, the Central American state of Nicaragua also voted against the resolution. (It previously abstained and voted against another resolution in October.) Russia has maintained a security partnership with Nicaragua in recent years, though ties between the two date back to the Cold War.
Countries that voted against the resolution: Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria.
Which countries have abstained?
China, India and South Africa were among the 32 countries that abstained from voting on the resolution.
China has abstained for the third time since the invasion a year ago, trying to remain neutral in the dispute. The State Department on Friday called for an end to sanctions on Russia and an eventual ceasefire, saying it respects the sovereignty of all nations. “Dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis,” the statement said.
The 12-point proposal aims to allay Western concerns that the country may soon directly support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. This week, the Pentagon warned China of the consequences if China directly supports Russia’s war effort.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi visited Moscow ahead of the anniversary, and the Kremlin has indicated Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia soon.
Among the major democracies, India abstained from voting on the resolution. India has had close ties with Russia for decades and relies on the country for much of its weapons. Since the invasion, India has refrained from directly criticizing Russia, instead calling for peace and negotiations. Trade with Russia, particularly crude oil imports, has hit an all-time high since the invasion. Despite efforts by the United States and other Western allies of Ukraine, India has maintained its position and doubled its oil purchases, citing national interests.
Countries that abstained: Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Cuba, Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.
Which countries voted for it?
Much of the world, led by the Western alliance in support of Ukraine, voted to urge Russia to end the war. The votes in favor of Ukraine remained unchanged compared to the previous year.
But this support may be tested. The Washington Post reported that the world beyond the West is far from united on the issues raised by the Ukraine war, and that Russia often finds a sympathetic ear in the global South.
Countries that voted for the resolution: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria , Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand , Niger, Nig eria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St .Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad Tobago , Tunisia, Tuvalu, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia.