UN calls for Russia to leave Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution on Thursday demanding Russia pull its forces out of Ukraine. The demand comes on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A total of 141 countries supported the measure, 32 abstained from voting, and seven voted against it. The yearlong war has featured tens of thousands of deaths, abandoned or reduced towns, and what the United States has called crimes against humanity committed by Russian forces.

Does this vote mean anything? No. The UN General Assembly’s resolutions are nonbinding. The General Assembly has also passed several previous resolutions condemning Russia’s behavior toward Ukraine. They have not changed Russia’s behavior.

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine about the Ukrainian refugees still sojourning in foreign lands a year after Russia invaded their country.