UN calls for end to Russian war in Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to demand that Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine and end the fighting a year since it invaded its neighbour.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted 141-7 with 32 abstentions to demand that Russia end its war in Ukraine.

Photo: EPA/JUSTIN LANE

A total of 141 countries on Thursday supported a resolution that marked the one-year anniversary of the war by calling for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" and telling Moscow to pull out its forces and stop fighting, news agencies reported.

One year since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the @UN General Assembly resolution on comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine was adopted with the overwhelming support of the Member States. pic.twitter.com/HABlBKdwS1

— Poland in the UN (@PLinUN) February 23, 2023

Only six countries, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria, joined Russia in voting against the resolution, the Reuters news agency reported.

Thirty-two countries, including China, abstained, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a tweet that the resolution "is a powerful signal of unflagging global support for Ukraine."

This resolution is a powerful signal of unflagging global support for 🇺🇦. A powerful testament to the solidarity of 🌎 community with 🇺🇦 people in the context of the anniversary of RF’s full-scale aggression. A powerful manifestation of global support for 🇺🇦 #PeaceFormula! 2/2 pic.twitter.com/fPBis4v9p1

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 23, 2023

Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau told the United Nations on Thursday that one year into Russia's war in Ukraine, the people of Ukraine deserved “not only our compassion, but also our support and solidarity."

Addressing a special session of the UN General Assembly, Rau said that "a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is the only acceptable option to end the war in Ukraine."

He added: "It is possible only when sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine are reconfirmed."

Today, FM @RauZbigniew began his two-day visit to New York.

Participation in the 11th Extraordinary Special Session of the General Assembly 🇺🇳 is one of the first points on Minister Rau's agenda. pic.twitter.com/icGWVplEZt

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) February 23, 2023

Rau called on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine and reaffirmed Poland's support for international initiatives to hold Russia accountable for its crimes in Ukraine, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Thursday marked the 365th day of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters