UN Rejects Russia's Illegal Referendums, Annexation In Ukraine

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday voted to condemn Russia for its attempt to annex more areas of Ukraine. The final vote was marked as 143 in favor of the resolution, 5 nations against it and 35 abstentions, while 10 countries, including Azerbaijan, were absent from the vote, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

President Joe Biden hailed the vote, noting that 143 nations stood on the side of freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity—even more than the 141 nations that voted in March to unequivocally condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine. Only 4 chose to side with Russia—Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria.

"By attacking the core tenets of the UN Charter, Russia is tearing at the very foundations of international peace and security. The stakes of this conflict are clear to all—and the world has sent a clear message in response: Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map," Biden said in a statement.

Russia, he added, cannot change borders by force. "Russia cannot seize another country’s territory as its own.  Ukraine is entitled to the same rights as every other sovereign country. It must be able to choose its own future, and its people must be able to live peacefully inside its internationally recognized borders."

Per Biden, nearly 8 months into this war, the world "has just demonstrated that it is more united, and more determined than ever to hold Russia accountable for its violations."

"Together with the UN General Assembly, we will not tolerate illegal attempts at annexation or the theft of a neighbor's land by force. We will stand up for international law, the UN Charter, and the rights and protections it affords to Ukraine and its people – and to every state and people everywhere."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his turn, called the vote "remarkable" and "a powerful reminder that the overwhelming majority of nations stand with Ukraine".

Territorial integrity is a central pillar of the UN, and Russia’s violent contempt for Ukraine’s national borders and sovereignty "cannot and will not be accepted," Blinken said in a statement.

The Secretary went on adding, "by adopting this resolution, the assembled nations made clear: they will not tolerate an attempt by any UN Member State to seize land by force.  The vote delivers a resounding rebuke to Russia for its aggression against Ukraine,"

Per Blinken, with very few nations voting with Russia today, it is clear that international unity on this question is resolute and support for Ukraine at the UN and beyond is unwavering.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.