On the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution* calling for “comprehensive peace” in Ukraine and demanding the withdrawal of forces military of the Russian Federation.
“Today’s vote is truly historic. One year after the illegal, unprovoked and large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, you have seen the position of the countries of the world. We showed ours – we stand in solidarity with Ukraine,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said Feb. 23 after the vote.
The United States is among 141 countries that voted in favor of the resolution, while only six countries joined Russia in opposing it. Thirty-two abstained.
“Ukraine’s indomitable will has rallied the world to its cause, with people of conscience around the world united behind Ukraine, and with repeated calls in the halls of the UN for Russia to end the war she has chosen,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a February 24 press release, before heading to the UN the same day.
Russia chose this war, and the world is responding to hold Russia accountable for the atrocities it is committing in Ukraine. We want this war to end as quickly as possible – with a just peace that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/qADieZvQFq
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 24, 2023
Already on March 2, 2022, the UN General Assembly voted by an overwhelming majority for a resolution denouncing the war in Ukraine and calling on Vladimir Putin to end it. A year later, this vote shows that the world understands that adherence to the principles of the UN Charter is essential to a just and lasting peace.
The US diplomat returned to the UN Security Council on February 24, where he underscored the council’s responsibility to uphold the UN charter as Putin’s war enters its second year. .
The large-scale invasion of Russia forced more than 13 million people* to flee and destroyed thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure.
“For peace to be just, it must respect the principles at the heart of the United Nations Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence,” said the Secretary of State. For peace to be lasting, it must ensure that Russia cannot simply rest, rearm and go back to war in a few months or a few years. »
Today at the @ANDI shared Veronika’s story. Her family was killed when Russia shelled their home. She’s one of millions of Ukrainian kids suffering from Putin’s war, and one of many reasons we stand with Ukraine. She painted this to imagine a brighter world. pic.twitter.com/PwOF9VozUS
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 24, 2023
