However, seven countries—Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia, and Syria—opposed the resolution.
32 countries, including China, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Laos, chose to abstain.
The 141 countries who want an early cease-fire earlier supported the UN General Assembly’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The vote on Thursday has significant political implications despite not having any legal force. The resolution encourages all sides to the conflict to devise plans for bringing about peace. It called an immediate end to hostilities and requested that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory.”
The resolution urged members and international organizations to step up efforts to combat war crimes, but it did not address how peace may be achieved specifically.
The Assembly’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, including its territorial waters, was also reiterated in the resolution.
In order to secure justice for all victims and deter future atrocities, it further emphasized the necessity of holding those responsible for the most serious crimes against international law committed in Ukraine accountable through independent investigations and prosecutions.
