LIVE

On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly adopted on Tuesday a resolution reaffirming its support for Kiev and its territorial integrity.

It was adopted by 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions including the United States. The resolution stresses the “strong attachment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

It also calls once again for an “immediate, complete, and unconditional cease-fire” between Russia and Ukraine, “a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law,” and the complete exchange of prisoners of war.

The Americans abstained after their request to vote separately on paragraphs referring to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and international law was rejected. “The United States obviously welcomes the call for an immediate cease-fire,” but “this resolution also includes formulations that may distract from ongoing negotiations instead of supporting all diplomatic paths that could lead to lasting peace,” justified US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce.

The leaders of the G7 countries, including Donald Trump, nevertheless affirmed on Tuesday their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist.” “Despite peace efforts led by the United States and supported by European partners, the Russian Federation continues to show no real willingness to stop this aggression,” said Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betsa at a security council meeting on Ukraine. She accused Moscow of “using negotiations to continue this aggression war, banking on the passage of time.” Praising President Trump’s diplomatic efforts, Russian Ambassador Vassili Nebenzia assured him that Russia was participating “in good faith” in the negotiations. He also criticized the resolution passed by the General Assembly, calling it a “smokescreen” that “has nothing to do with reality and does not provide a path towards a lasting solution to the conflict.”

A year ago, a month after Donald Trump returned to the White House, the United States voted against a resolution calling for a “just peace,” adopted by the UN General Assembly. Shortly after, with Russian support, they passed a resolution in the Security Council demanding a quick peace but without mention of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, to the dismay of Kiev’s European allies. The Council had been previously paralyzed by the Russian veto on this issue.

Written by TF1info