The signatories—representing nearly 75% of the world—called for “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” and they “demand[ed] that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” The 141 UN members also called for “an immediate cessation of the attacks on the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and any deliberate attacks on civilian objects, including those that are residences, schools and hospitals.”
- Just six countries voted in support of Russia: North Korea, Syria, Belarus, Eritrea, Mali, and Nicaragua.
White House POV: “A year into this conflict, the international community remains steadfast in upholding our shared values, including the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity that are the foundation of the UN Charter, and accountability for violations of international law, including Russia’s war of aggression,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement Thursday, calling the UN vote “an overwhelming demonstration of support for Ukraine—and a clear defense of freedom for people everywhere.”
“We refuse to accept a world governed by fear and force,” said U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink in her own message marking the day. “We stand for freedom, we stand with Ukraine,” she added.
Seven former NATO commanders urge the U.S. to do everything it can to ensure Ukraine does not fall. That lineup includes Army Generals Wesley Clark (who served from 1997-2000) and Curtis Scaparrotti (2016-2019); Marine Gen. James Jones (2003-2006); Navy Adm. James Stavridis (2009-2013); and Air Force Generals Joseph Ralston (2000-2003); Phil Breedlove (2013-2016), and Tod Wolters (2019-2022). Read over their argument in Defense One, here.
New: The Pentagon is sending another $2 billion in security aid to Ukraine, including several drone systems (CyberLux K8s, Switchblade 600s, Altius-600s, and Jump 20s), laser-guided rocket rounds, more HIMARS long-range artillery rounds, more 155 mm artillery rounds, and more.
‘More, more, more.’ Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson teamed up with South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham to advocate for sending more weapons to Ukraine as soon as possible. That’s because Putin’s Ukraine invasion won’t stop at just Ukraine, they argue. “Unless Russian troops are purged from Ukrainian territory, Mr. Putin will bide his time, waiting to attack again,” Graham and BoJo wrote in the op-ed section of the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. “He will continue to menace the Georgians, Moldovans, Balts and everyone living in the periphery of the old Soviet empire. Unless he is fully defeated in Ukraine, Mr. Putin’s revanchist ambitions won’t be checked.”
