The draft resolution, which was prepared by the European Union and co-sponsored by dozens of countries from different continents, received 143 votes in favour, 5 against and 35 abstentions.
“The United Nations will not tolerate attempts at annexation by force,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield said minutes before the vote.
The Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, insisted that his country was acting in Ukraine in defense of the population and that the referendums, and the subsequent annexation, had the support of the local population.
In addition to asking Russia to reverse the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, the resolution declares that Moscow’s actions violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are inconsistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The resolution clearly condemns the “so-called illegal referendums” and “illegal annexation attempt” in Russia and says they are invalid under international law.
The text also includes language that supports conflict reduction and promotes conflict resolution through “political dialogue, negotiation, mediation and other peaceful means”, in relation to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
