On Wednesday 12th October 2022, the UN General Assembly condemned Russia’s declaration that it had annexed four Ukrainian regions.

The motion passed with 143 countries out of 193 members voting in favor and only 5 against. Meanwhile, 35 countries abstained from the ballot.

The five countries which voted against the resolution include Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria.

The majority of countries that abstained are from the African continent, in addition to China and India.

The African countries include; Algeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Eritrea, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Guinea, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Others outside Africa are; Armenia, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

Following the votes; Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the 143 countries which endorsed the resolution and expressed optimism that Russia will reverse the annexation decision.