The United Nations General Assembly will vote today on a resolution that will condemn Russia for invading Ukraine and demanding that it immediately withdraw all military forces.
Nearly half of the General Assembly’s 193 members co-sponsored a draft resolution that will be voted on today. The text says the United Nations “deplore” Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The vote today comes following multiple efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. But no diplomatic activities appear to be slowing Russia’s ongoing attack against Ukraine, with reports of airstrikes in multiple cities.
There is a surge of refugees fleeing Ukraine, with an estimated 650,000 people having left the country and entering the European Union since last week alone. There is also vast growing concern over the humanitarian effort within Ukraine, which is already estimated to cost $1 billion.
The draft resolution is similar to a previous one that was vetoed by Russia in the Security Council on Friday. As a permanent member of the 15-member Security Council, Russia has supreme veto power.
However, no country has the ability to issue a veto in the General Assembly. Resolutions require two-thirds support to pass, and the U.S. and allied nations believe it will easily be adopted. Dozens of countries are expected to formally abstain from the vote or to not engage in the vote.
General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but they carry political weight.
The new resolution demands that Russia immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraws all military forces from Ukraine. It also expressed grave concern at reports of Russian attacks and airstrikes against civilians and public facilities, including homes, residences, schools, hospitals. It also expresses concern over civilian casualties.
The vote will come today at the end of a rare emergency special session convened by the Security Council on Sunday.
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