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DEAs part of the renewed 11th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly addressing the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, 143 countries voted in favour of the resolution titled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
In response to the Russian Federation’s attempt to annex Ukraine’s Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Kherson regions by organising sham referenda, UN member states unequivocally stated that no territorial appropriation resulting from the threat of force or the use of force could be recognised as legitimate.
“In this regard, the UN General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, which extend to its territorial waters,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated.
The resolution clearly underscores that Russia’s temporary military control of parts of the above-mentioned Ukrainian regions is the result of the aggression, the violation of the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Having supported the mentioned document, the UN member states recognised Russia’s decisions on the status of four regions of Ukraine as incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter and called on Russia to revoke them immediately and unconditionally.
The adopted document also contains a demand that the Russian Federation must immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
“Having supported international efforts to de-escalate and peacefully resolve the conflict, the UN member states emphasised that political dialogue, negotiations, mediation, and other peaceful means should take place with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the diplomats stressed.
They noted that the Russian delegation had tried in every way to thwart the adoption of the resolution, including demanding, contrary to established practice, a secret vote, which is used in the UN hall only for electoral issues. At the same time, the UN member states prevented those pathetic attempts by an absolute majority of votes.
Natalia Tolub
