UN backs resolution on Ukraine, US faces setback over Russia's role in war

The resolution, passed with 93 votes in favour, 18 against, and 65 abstentions, stands as a win for Ukraine.

Updated on: Feb 25, 2025, 04:40:58 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Kavya Mishra

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In a significant victory for Ukraine on the third anniversary of its war with Russia, the United Nations General Assembly on Monday voted to approve a European-backed resolution demanding the immediate removal of Russian forces from Ukraine.

Ambassadors vote on a resolution to reaffirm Ukraine's territorial integrity, during a United Nations General Assembly meeting on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

The resolution, which passed with 93 votes in favour, 18 against, and 65 abstentions, stands as a win for Ukraine but also showcases diminished support for Kyiv.

US faces setback over the language of resolution

However, the United States faced a notable setback after it failed to get the UN General Assembly to approve its resolution that avoided directly blaming Russia for the conflict.

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It marks a fallout for the newly elected Donald Trump administration in the 193-member world body, whose resolutions are not legally binding but are seen as a barometer of world opinion.

According to a US official and a European diplomat who spoke anonymously because the talks were private, the United States had tried to pressure the Ukrainians to withdraw their resolution in favour of its proposal.

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They refused, and then the assembly added language to the US proposal making clear that Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in violation of the UN Charter.

What does the UN resolution on Ukraine say?

The newly adopted resolution called for“de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine, marked by enormous destruction and human suffering, including among the civilian population, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law”.

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The resolution stands as a win for Ukraine but also showcases diminished support for Kyiv.

It also reiterated its call for the complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained persons and the return of all internees and civilians forcibly transferred and deported.

Meanwhile, India abstained from a UN General Assembly draft resolution that called for a de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine.

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