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U.N. condemns Russia's move to annex parts of Ukraine

74 Comments
By Michelle Nichols

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“Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus”

Oh dear. Running out of friends?

I feel bad for the majority of Russians. They didn’t want this.

20 ( +24 / -4 )

Russia's strategic partner China

China is Russia's strategic partner in need of fossil fuels so it can continue to expand, and similar to Russia is an authoritarian nation led by an aging male, who has shown in his version of ultranationalism that he's not afraid to put his personal enemies from another ethnic group, even from his own in concentration camps. And yes I'm well aware of the horrors committed by western powers, there are dozens of books easily available, written abut crimes against humanity done by them. Can Chinese people read about what happened at Tiananmen Square, can Russian peoples read about what's happening to their family members serving in Ukraine, and what they've done to Ukrainian citizens. China/Russia/Iran/North Korea maybe Syria comprise a new Imperium which is a nasty as any empire seen in history. And like a fatal virus it's spreading, and once again their supporters and others in the far right around the globe are saying no vaccine, let it grow, totalitarian flu is better than what they have now and maybe think they can fill their petrol burners for less money.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

So 50 countries openly refused to condemn Russia actions, thus snubbing NATO.

No, they just didn’t vote yes.

That's more than twice as many countries as in the entire EU.

No it isn’t.

But it is almost a quarter of the UN.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

That’s some Grade A copium there, Bronco. It’s 40 countries (5 against and 35 abstaining), btw. Most of the abstentions are from developing nations who depend heavily on trade with Russia or China and so don’t want to piss then off. Don’t take that as tacit approval as you are seeming to do.

143 countries voted to condemn the annexation, Bronco. That’s a lot.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Given the circumstances, Russia still has a lot of friends.

Finally, a hint of recognition that Russia is in the wrong.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Russia is losing their former USSR buddies too. Kazakhstan didn't vote with Russia. None of the "7 stans" voted for it.

Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus

The Syrian govt needs Russia so they can keep killing their own citizens.

Nicaragua's dictator is following Putin's playbook to be emperor for life ... because if he ever loses power, his own people will not just kill him, they will kill his entire family, and quarter them all.

North Korea ... Russia and China are the only countries willing to violate UN sanctions.

Belarus ... their dictator is also going to be be beheaded if he ever leaves power.

I can understand countries not voting who have long trade histories with Russia that are currently in place today. They are worried they will be next for "annexation"/ invasion, but need the trade as they try to get more non-Russia trade started with long term partners.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Russia is a terrorist (sponsoring) state.

Clear decision by the UN. Now let actions follow!

Besides, Bronco, still defending your buddy Putin?

5 countries (icluding Russia) voting against, no big surprise:

the dictators, Kimyonpig, the Syrian butcher, Belarus' Luka-what's-his-face, Nicaragua's single ruler Ortega ...

.... pot and kettle.

All the others that abstained will follow those who voted for the condemnation soon(er than later).

Once again, stop spreading that fake propaganda by the Kremlin. It ain't worth the paper written on!

12 ( +14 / -2 )

@Bronco

So 50 countries openly refused to condemn Russia actions, thus snubbing NATO.

I know it’s hard for the Kremlin to try to put a positive spin, or try to discount it’s importance, of this but yours was really a pathetic attempt.

Four countries joined Russia, Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus.

The other 35 just cowardly buried their heads in the sand.

Fortunately the vast majority of the world stood up against Russia’s imperialism, and you can be sure the others that weren’t strong enough to show Russia support won’t go out of their way to help Russia from now either.

It’s very telling when your only friends in the world, even if they’re really only pretend friends, are Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus!

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Won’t change things on the battlefield but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

Even with the state media propaganda, Russians are going to realize more and more just how internationally isolated they are.

Not a good day for the midget from Moscow and his fan-boi rubes.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

@Bronco

So 50 countries openly refused to condemn Russia actions

Abstaining also means they don't support the annexation, ie, they don't think it's a good idea.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

So 50 countries openly refused to condemn Russia actions, thus snubbing NATO.

That's more than twice as many countries as in the entire EU.

Given the circumstances, Russia still has a lot of friends.

A new illustrative example of ”Grasping at straws” for the idiom dictionary.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

the future of the world is Africa, China, India, Brazil and so on.

You didn’t include Russia in your list.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

As long as Russian "settlers" can move into the occupied areas, build homes, and be protected by the Russian military, the UN can't do a thing.

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Too late !!..

Keep trying, lol !!..

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia's strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.

I would like to know how different it is between "abstention" and "non voting"? There must be distinction in the definitions or implications for each, no?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Let Vlad the Invader have the bloody land to save some narcissistic pride and stop WW3. Ukraine is corruption to the core and its leaders are hanging their own out to dry while filling their pockets. This is a proxy war. Jesus his favourite TV show is Blippi and favourite movie is schindler's list!! No joke.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

As long as Russian "settlers" can move into the occupied areas, build homes, and be protected by the Russian military, the UN can't do a thing.

Fortunately the Ukrainian army can do a few things even if the UN can’t.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Russia should have asked for authorization first from the UN before invading Ukraine like the USA did before invading Iraq

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly - 143 countries - voted in favor of a resolution that also reaffirmed the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

This 4th resolution gained the largest favor votes among the ones over the Ukraine war (1st:141, 2nd: 140, 3rd:93). Good news for Ukraine, and the message is strong and clear.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Kumagaijin - Russian “settlers” who came over since 2014 may need to go back to Russia if they didn’t emigrate accordingly to Ukrainian law.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Does Putin san cares or does he follow rules?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

At least the people voted to become part of Russia. Ask the people of Chagos Archipelago or mainly Diego Garcia what voice they had when they were forcibly removed and relocated to so far away lands.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

At least the people voted to become part of Russia. 

Maybe some did. Maybe some did at gunpoint.

For one moment believing it was a legitimate referendum is lunacy.

Ask the people of Chagos Archipelago or mainly Diego Garcia what voice they had when they were forcibly removed and relocated to so far away lands.

Go ahead. But let’s talk about Ukraine and Russia here.

The ‘someone else did the same thing at some point in history ’ defense seems popular these days.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Let Vlad the Invader have the bloody land to save some narcissistic pride and stop WW3.

No. Not one damn cm. Not a single one. All Russians need to be expelled from Ukraine lands. Ukraine to close the border and cut all dies to ... er ... Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua, and Syria. That's a good list.

Any votes were under duress. The true residents of the land were forced to leave by the war. Until all of them are back or their votes are counted by a non-Russian group, it won't count. Heck, Russia can't even have untainted elections in their own country. It is pretty clear that Putin is weak when he has to kill the opposition, have others arrested, and fix votes even when he will win. 80% for Putin is a joke. That only happens when 1 person is running and there are guns pointed at heads. Election watchers are still trying to figure out how a province with 5M voters counted 20M votes in Russia. Guess they REALLY, REALLY, wanted that 80% win? Russia is a joke - mostly caused by their leaders trying to appear like a republic when they aren't.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

UN has as much power ,than the nearest NYC municipal court around the corner

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

I feel bad for the majority of Russians. They didn’t want this.

I agree, many Russians apparently have shown their disdain for the Kremlin's warmongers and have beat feet out of Russia.

Interesting that many westerners including some who claim to be US Americans, continue to support the Kremlin's warmongering and cheer it on thinking doing so hurts politicians they do not like but helps he leader of what some politicians, especially one long linked with Russia, call the Patriot Party, patriotic to Russia perhaps. and like Russia these 'patriots' want to see the US further weakened.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

So the UN, an organization based in America, who controls who can attend, that seemingly promotes the oppression and torture and murder of Palestinians, totally refuses Russian speaking Ukrainians their right to freedom and democracy?

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

So the UN, an organization based in America

That comprises 193 out of 195 countries in the world.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

The US cannot stop representatives from visiting the UN HQ. Those visiting UN Headquarters do so at their own risk of such exposure.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I totally understand all the thumbs down but for all those thumbs means you are willing to end humanity nothing less. Real adult act for the sake of others and bite a bitter pill.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

I totally understand all the thumbs down

Ok

but for all those thumbs means you are willing to end humanity nothing less.

No. It means I and others disagree with your comment. I don’t think someone’s favourite movie is justification to dismiss them. I also don’t think rolling over for bullies after such loss and global condemnation is the best response.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

all those thumbs means you are willing to end humanity nothing less.

No. All those downvotes are saying no to nuclear blackmail and no to a world without respect for law.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Until the government of Ukraine accept responsibility for it citizen,and not depend on the mercy of others,they will be doomed

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

> Bob FosseToday  07:14 am JST

“Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus”

Oh dear. Running out of friends?

I feel bad for the majority of Russians. They didn’t want this.

Lesse - since the war isn't going so well for the Moscow misfit, he conscripts men in the 40s and even 50s to fight in a wasteful war they didn't want to begin with.

Syria, Belarus are led by dictator chumps. No surprise in siding with Russia. Puny NK wants something too.

theFuToday  07:39 am JST

Russia is losing their former USSR buddies too. Kazakhstan didn't vote with Russia. None of the "7 stans" voted for it.

Russia placed a puppet government in Kazakhstan with a one-week war this past winter, before the Ukraine invasion. Putin wrongly assumed that invading Ukraine would be easy too. Yet his Kazakh yes-man doesn't seem to be 'on his side' this time. Not even that grossly totalitarian Turkmenistan is siding with Russia this time either.

Maybe they're a bit scared of UN sanctions, which will be kicking Russia 'where it counts' when winter arrives. Then again, Vlad thought it'd be all over by now. Guess again. He can sign the annexation degrees all he wants, they don't mean doodly squat. Nada. Nichts.

He goofed up.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

how does reality factor into all this?

a guy who has a gun and wants your wallet? - dont give it to him!

Hes a bully! hes not following the law! he has no right! yet, there he is, with a gun wanting your wallet.

especially easy to say if you are just a person on the internet giving advice and not actually in the situation.

Helpful and honest advice to the person in that situation should probably be to give up their wallet, then go to the police.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

Helpful and honest advice to the person in that situation should probably be to give up their wallet, then go to the police.

This comparison falls apart, because there's no "police" to report the stolen "wallet" to.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

how does reality factor into all this?

a guy who has a gun and wants your wallet? - dont give it to him!

Reality?

Using your imagined scenario as an example.

Ooookaaay.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

It’s not imagined, that choice is made in reality every single day.

the UN is the “police” are they not?

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

Helpful and honest advice to the person in that situation should probably be to give up their wallet, then go to the police.

So you mean, Ukraine give up land now, then go to the UN and other countries, then rightfully reclaim it later?

Newsflash, that’s happening already.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

This analogy also breaks down because an individual's life can be ended by one shot, and so the sensible thing do to when staring down the barrel of a gun is to comply. This is not the case here. It's more like a case of a big drunk man comes into your house and starts taking stuff. You are smaller, but can fight pretty well, and you have your family to protect, so you do what you can to protect them until the police arrive.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

the UN is the “police” are they not?

In a sense yes. So 193 out of 195 say Russia is a criminal. Give the wallet back.

Thanks for your helpful analogy and finally giving support to the victim.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

the UN is the “police” are they not?

Huh? In what way are the UN like the police? You don't actually believe the UN can step in seize Russian state property, or go in and arrest Putin, do you? A very bad attempt at a flawed analogy.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

But you aren’t saying go to the police. You are advocating to attack the person with the gun.

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

But you aren’t saying go to the police. You are advocating to attack the person with the gun.

If someone pulls a gun on you and attempts to rob you, do you not have the right to use your own weapon to defend yourself? Yes or no.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Newsflash, that’s happening already.

No they launched a counter offensive to try to take it back by armed conflict.

And now need defensive support due to that action causing them to catch some missiles sent their way in return.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

In my example, the "police" are the more advanced armaments, intelligence, and other support. But we all digressed here. Who needs an analogy to make sense of this situation? Ukraine has every right to defend herself and take all of her land back.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Ukraine has every right to defend herself and take all of her land back.

Not if it causes world war 3 or a world wide nuclear conflict they don’t.

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Not if it causes world war 3 or a world wide nuclear conflict they don’t.

lol This is incredibly cowardly logic. Shameful really. If you're too afraid to fight back, just give your wallet over, but don't expect everyone else to roll over so easily. The US spends nearly a trillion dollars a year on military spending, and I think allocating billions of that towards helping Ukraine defend itself, we Americans do love freedom after all.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Blacklabel - the right to self-defense is pretty settled at this point.

Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter[edit]

Article 51 of the UN Charter states the following:

Article 51: Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of collective or individual self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by members in exercise of this right of self-defense shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

If you're too afraid to fight back, just give your wallet over, but don't expect everyone else to roll over so easily.

It’s why we have police. Is your wallet worth dying over? In this case your fight can eliminate not just you but the whole entire world.

Don’t you have any responsibility at all to consider that before you recklessly “fight back”?!

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

It’s why we have police. Is your wallet worth dying over? In this case your fight can eliminate not just you but the whole entire world.

I have a gun. Why shouldn't I use my gun to defend myself?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Blacklabel - I think I see where you are coming from. Are you advocating for a much better funded and well-armed UN to act as the World Police?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Steal is more accurate than annex.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

BlacklabelToday 11:14 am JST

how does reality factor into all this?

a guy who has a gun and wants your wallet? - dont give it to him!

Using verified reports from the battlefield, if the victim in this non analogous example is Ukraine, it takes the gun from the untrained drunk and shoots him with it, and then goes on its way.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The right; everyone has the right to self defense, guns to protect me and my family.

Until…

7 ( +8 / -1 )

why are they begging for offensive and defensive weapons and money to the EU, G7, G20, NATO, and every other organization in the world?

Why are they going to the police after someone robbed them of their wallet on a public street with dozens of eye witnesses?

Is that what you are asking?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Ah, it's the libs fault, eh?

Not Mini-me, not his state media, not Russia. Its the liberals who engineered an invasion based on a lie, and who now Craven my provide the invaded with the means for their own defense.

Those damn liberals.....

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"cravenly provide "

Apologies.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Besides the thousands of innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children killed, some just over the past two days, the legacy of Putin's illegal war will be;

His proud flagship Moskva turned into a burning hulk now resting on the floor of the Red Sea...

His shiny new bridge to Crimea now just a bunch of twisted metal and concrete...

His annexing of potions of Ukraine, bestowing Russian citizenship to all and promising to defend and protect them.....then bombing and killing these new "Citizens of Russia" when the Ukrainians recaptured these areas...

He's united NATO and expanded its forces by over 1 million, he's shown Russia's military is incompetent and it's equipment beyond shoddy, and left Russia friendless in the world except for Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and Belarus....

And some people still call him a "genius" and "very savvy"....

11 ( +12 / -1 )

BroncoToday 07:14 am JST

Three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly - 143 countries - voted in favor of a resolution

So 50 countries openly refused to condemn Russia actions, thus snubbing NATO.

So 188 countries openly refuse to support Russian actions. Ouch! Much more than a snub for Russia.

Given the circumstances, Russia still has a lot of friends.

I would not call 4 supporting votes any indication Russia has a lot of friends. More like it has very few friends. Even China and Iran chose not to support Russian actions in Ukraine. That has to sting Putin. A very bad look for Russia showing its extremely weak global position.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Putin offered Germany gas from the No2 Nordstream pipeline but it refused. It will take Russia more than a year to make repairs.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Helping a sovereign country in Europe defend itself against a more powerful nuclear-armed aggressor is not a proxy war. It is the right thing to do.

Yesterday, on Russian TV Putin claimed Russia was the victim of this conflict.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

It must be embarrassing being almost universally condemned and humiliated over and over again.

I understand how some posters feel a kinship with putin.

UN gave a big thumbs down.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

The US far-right-wingers here sure have an interesting set of logic...

To be fair we shouldn’t paint them all with the same brush.

It’s mostly just one guy posting edgy opinions to stir things up and get hits for his website.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Yrral

If Russian launched an intercontinental nuclear missile at it would trigger an immediate massive nuclear response from America, UK and France. There would be no time to calculate where the Russian missile was targetting.

Putin and his general already know that. Putin does not have the sole authority to launch a nuclear missile.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The United Nations and people in the diplomat corps. It’s why they both exist- to resolve disputes.

And yet you criticize Ukraine for not solving things diplomatically, whilst completely ignoring the fact that it is Russia who didn't try and solve things diplomatically.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

And yet you criticize Ukraine for not solving things diplomatically

Who is this?

“Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday warned that he would not negotiate with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin is in power.”

pushing regime change now? Russia said they would talk.

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

Russia launch ballistic missile everyday at Ukraine,why have European responded, because be they are dependent on Putin,for their economical survival, European only make up only 1 fourteenth of the world population of almost 7 billion,their survival is only important to themselves,not others

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

talk now*

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Putin doesn’t negotiate. That’s why a peaceful negotiation is not going to happen. That’s why Zelenskyy won’t negotiate while Putin is in power… not because he won’t negotiate, but because if Putin wants something to happen, negotiating something different is impossible.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Why didn’t they talk before bombing the crimea bridge that caused them to “get the hell bombed out of them?”

this can go on forever. Zelensky refuses to talk, he wants to fight to the last Ukrainian with the West’s money and weapons being available to him in unlimited amounts.

In other words;

Zelensky bad guy. Leads his nation against an unlawful intruder. Fights off initial invasion, turns tide against invaders and sends them retreating to border. Sinks Russian flagship and blows up symbolic bridge.

Putin good guy. Invades neighbor when his Ambassador to the US said two days before; "There are no plans for an invasion". Kills thousands of innocent women and children bombing schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. Leaves behind mass graves of civilians tortured and killed.

Easy to see who the US far-right admires...and why their leader says Putin is "very savvy"....

8 ( +9 / -1 )

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