On the 2nd of March 2022, the UN held a general assembly to vote on the outcome of the United Nations resolution put forward with regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is important to note that assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although, they can reflect as well as influence world opinion.
The Votes
After hours of debate, the outcome was that 141 of the 193 countries present voted in favour of the United Nations Resolution and Russia’s withdrawal. While four voted in favour of Russia, and 35, including South Africa, abstained from voting.
The four countries who voted in favour of the Russian campaign were:
- Belarus
- Eritrea
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)
- Syrian Arab Republic
The 35 countries that abstained were:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burundi
- Central African Republic
- China
- Congo
- Cuba
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- India
- Iraq
- Iran
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos Peoples Democratic Republic
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Pakistan
- Senegal
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Tajikistan
- Uganda
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
What the Resolution Demands
The general verdict was that the present military offensive executed by the Russian Federation is against the United Nations Charter. Furthermore, the UN has condemned Russia’s threat of nuclear forces.
The resolution demands the following actions be followed:
- Firstly, the Russian Federation must immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine. While also completely and unconditionally withdrawing all of its military forces.
- Additionally, Russia is to immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision related to the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
- The resolution also states that all parties are to abide by the Minsk agreements and to work together constructively.
- Furthermore, parties must come to an immediate peaceful resolution through political dialogue, negotiations, mediation and other peaceful means.
- At the same time, all parties must allow safe and unfettered passage to destinations outside of Ukraine. As well as aid the rapid and safe access to humanitarian assistance.
- As well as this, Belarus is to cease its aid of this “unlawful use of force” against Ukraine and abide by its international obligations.
- And lastly, international and regional organizations are to continue supporting the de-escalation of the current situation.
Following these demands, it is requested that, 30 days after the adoption of the present resolution, the Emergency Relief Coordinator provides a report on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.