On the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly will vote next week on a draft resolution emphasizing "the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in accordance with the UN Charter.
UN action on Ukraine has centered on the General Assembly because the 15-member Security Council has been immobilized by Russia, which has veto power alongside the United States, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
It reiterates its demand that Moscow withdraw its forces and asks for a cessation of hostilities. The 193-member General Assembly will likely vote next Thursday (Feb. 23) following two days of remarks by dozens of governments commemorating the war's beginning on Feb. 24.
"We count on very broad support from the membership. What is at stake is not just the fate of Ukraine, it is the respect of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of every state," European Union Ambassador Olof Skoog said.
Ukraine and its backers hope to increase Russia's diplomatic isolation by securing roughly three-quarters of the General Assembly's backing for a resolution, if not more.
Resolutions of the General Assembly are not legally binding, but they carry political weight.
Last year, Russia was diplomatically isolated as 141 states voted on Mar. 2 to condemn Russia's incursion and demand the withdrawal of its soldiers. A few weeks later, 140 states agreed to demand aid access and safety for civilians and criticized Russia for creating a "dire" humanitarian situation in Ukraine's neighbor.
Then, on Oct. 12, 143 countries voted to denounce Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of four partially occupied Ukrainian areas and urged all nations not to recognize the decision.
Diplomats stated that the General Assembly draft resolution was streamlined in an effort to garner as much support as possible. Ukraine had hoped that the resolution would enshrine a 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but diplomats stated that the resolution was simplified to garner as much support as possible.
As Russia and the West have competed for diplomatic power, several states, particularly in the global South, fear being caught in the middle of fierce geopolitical competition.
Russia claims it began a "special military operation" to "denazify" Ukraine and defend Russian speakers. It also accuses the West of conducting a "proxy war" against it by arming Ukraine and slapping sanctions on Moscow.
The United States and its western allies have referred to the invasion as an unjustified land grab against a sovereign nation.
