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\u201cToday, the overwhelming majority of the world nations from every region, large and small, representing a wide array of ideologies and governments \u2013 voted to defend the United Nations Charter and condemn Russia\u2019s illegal attempt to annex Ukrainian territory by force,\u201d Biden said in a statement released by White House.<\/p>\n
\u201c143 nations stood on the side of freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity \u2013 even more than the 141 nations that voted in March to unequivocally condemn Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Biden\u2019s statement came shortly after 143 members voted in favour of the resolution in the assembly, which houses 193 members. Five voted countries voted against the resolution, while 35 abstained, including India.<\/p>\n
The US president said Russia is tearing at the very foundations of international peace and security.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stakes of this conflict are clear to all \u2013 and the world has sent a clear message in response: Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia cannot change borders by force. Russia cannot seize another country\u2019s territory as its own,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Nearly eight months into this war, Biden said the world has just demonstrated that it is more united and more determined than ever to hold Russia accountable for its violations.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with the UN General Assembly, we will not tolerate illegal attempts at annexation or the theft of a neighbour\u2019s land by force. We will stand up for international law, the UN Charter, and the rights and protections it affords to Ukraine and its people \u2013 and to every state and people everywhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The UNGA resolution, adopted by the members where no one wields a veto, condemns Russia\u2019s \u201cattempted illegal annexations\u201d of the four Ukrainian regions following \u201cso-called referendums\u201d.<\/p>\n
This vote comes two days after Ukraine and Russia clashed in the UNGA this week. India was among more than 100 countries that voted to reject Russia\u2019s call to hold a secret ballot on a resolution condemning Moscow\u2019s \u201cattempted illegal annexation\u201d of Ukrainian territories.<\/p>\n
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the last week of September, signed the documents to formally announce the annexation of four regions \u2013 Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.<\/p>\n
This week saw heightened tension between Russia and Ukraine after the Crimea bridge blast, which prompted missile strikes on major Ukraine cities from Moscow. (ANI)<\/p>\n