The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution demanding immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. The resolution was passed on February 23, the day before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Of the 193 members, 141 reported voted in favor, and seven against, with 32 abstentions
The seven countries to vote against the resolution were Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Eritrea, Mali and Nicaragua.
Central Asia’s nations, including Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, abstained from voting on the resolution adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on February 23.
Turkmenistan reportedly did not vote at all.
China, India and Iran also abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
China has reportedly called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and a gradual de-escalation of the situation that will pave the way for peace talks, as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.
The BBC says the plan by China, which was released today morning by the Foreign Ministry urges an end to Western sanctions against Russia, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike last year.
India reiterated its position on the invasion, saying that peaceful dialogue was the only way out. Delhi reportedly has increasingly faced pressure to take a firm stand on Russia. According to the BBC, many countries, including the United States and Ukraine, have publicly appealed to Delhi to take a clear stand and "do the right thing".
But India has resisted the pressure. It has abstained from similar resolutions both at the UNGA and at the UNSC in the past.
Iran also abstained from voting on the UN resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
According to Sky News, Mr. Amir Saeed Iravani, UN representative for the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the proposed resolution "falls short" of "civilly and impartially addressing all aspects of the issue". He noted that it does not "acknowledge the provocation actions that have contributed to the crisis". Mr. Iravani said instead of bringing member states together the resolution will "polarize them".
Urging Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine’s territory, the resolution also calls on parties to the conflict and the international community to seek to broker peace.
The document “reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.”
The measure also “reiterates its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and calls for a cessation of hostilities.”
The resolution does not go into any details on how peace or peace negotiations might be achieved, short of saying through member states and international organizations “redoubling” their efforts. It also calls for war crimes perpetrators to face international prosecution.
