UN adopts resolution demanding Russia immediately withdraw troops from Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly, on Monday (Feb 24), okayed a Ukrainian resolution that demands the immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine, condemning Moscow's invasion of its neighbour on the third anniversary of the conflict.

The vote, in the 193-member world body, resulted in 93 voting in favour and 18 against with 65 abstentions. Although the resolution passed, the number of countries supporting it was lower compared to previous votes, which saw over 140 nations condemn Russia's actions and demand the reversal of its annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly voted on two competing resolutions on February 24, 2025. Ukraine's European-backed proposal demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the country, while the US proposed a resolution calling for a swift end to the war without mentioning Moscow's aggression.

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'Inherent right to self-defence'

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Maraya Betsa emphasised that her country is exercising its inherent right to self-defence in response to Russia's invasion, which blatantly violates the UN Charter's principles of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“As we mark three years of this devastation—Russia's full invasion against Ukraine—we call on all nations to stand firm and to take … the side of the Charter, the side of humanity and the side of just and lasting peace, peace through strength,” she said.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea said that multiple UN resolutions condemning Russia's actions and demanding the withdrawal of troops have been ineffective in stopping the war.

She emphasised that the conflict “has now dragged on for far too long and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine and Russia and beyond.”

“What we need is a resolution marking the commitment from all UN member states to bring a durable end to the war,” Shea said. “The draft resolution submitted by the United States makes this very point.”

India and China abstain

India and China were among the 65 UN Member States that abstained from the resolution.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put forward the proposal for a full exchange of all prisoners of war with Russia as the "start" of a process of ending the conflict.

"Russia must release all Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair way to start," Zelensky said at the summit.

He also urged for "real, lasting peace" this year as European leaders came together for a summit in Kyiv.

"This year should be the year of the beginning of real, lasting peace," Zelensky told Kyiv's backers.

"Putin will not give us peace or give it to us in exchange for something. We have to win peace through strength and wisdom and unity," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)