UNGA Passes Resolution Calling for Russia to End Hostilities in Ukraine

At a glance

• The United Nations General Assembly has approved a non-binding resolution calling for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.
• The resolution passed 141-7, with 32 abstentions.
• The General Assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine due to the Security Council being paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.
• Foreign ministers and diplomats from more than 75 countries addressed the assembly during two days of debate.
• China and Russia have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose the U.S.-led international order.

The details

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a non-binding resolution calling for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.

The resolution passed 141-7, with 32 abstentions, slightly lower than the highest total for the five previous resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and tanks across the border into its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022.

Voting Results

The seven countries voting against the resolution were Belarus, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, North Korea, Eritrea and Mali. Amendments proposed by Belarus to strip much of the language were resoundingly defeated.

General Assembly vs. Security Council

The General Assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine due to the Security Council being paralyzed by Russia’s veto power. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.

International Response

Foreign ministers and diplomats from more than 75 countries addressed the assembly during two days of debate. The war has killed tens of thousands on both sides and has reduced entire Ukrainian cities to ruins.

Venezuela’s deputy ambassador addressed the council on behalf of 16 countries that either voted against or abstained on almost all of five previous resolutions on Ukraine. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and China’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Dai Bing, both addressed the assembly.

China has stated it is neutral in the conflict and an advocate of peace talks, but has not criticized the invasion or described it as such. The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak, spoke with India’s national security adviser about the U.N. resolution.

Russia and Ukraine have been trying to win support from around the world. China and Russia have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose the U.S.-led international order. Less-powerful countries, including many in Africa, have been caught up in the diplomatic wrangling. Russia is Africa’s top arms supplier.

India had a Cold War dependence on the Soviet Union and has abstained several times from voting on U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that Russia cease its invasion.