By Emily Rauhala, Ellen Francis, Bryan Pietsch, Leo Sands, Victoria Bisset, Maite Fernández Simon and
Sammy Westfall
The United Nations on Wednesday (click here) voted to condemn Russia’s illegal seizure of Ukrainian territory, dealing a symbolic but important blow to Moscow’s diplomatic standing as it ramps up attacks on civilian sites and infrastructure.
The U.N. General Assembly adopted a U.S.-sponsored resolution that demands Russia reverse its annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine. The text, which is not legally binding, was adopted by a vote of 143-5 with 35 abstentions.
The vote came as NATO defense ministers convened in Brussels to discuss sending more air defense systems to Ukraine. The “malice and cruelty” of Russia’s recent escalation has only deepened allies’ commitment to supporting Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a group of officials at the meeting.
The UN vote comes at an important time when NATO is meeting. This vote provides the solid ground that NATO is standing on. Ukraine is not at fault.
