PH Votes to Condemn Russian ‘Illegal Annexation’ of Ukrainian Territories

The Philippines voted in favor of condemning Russia’s “illegal” annexation of parts of Ukraine in a landslide result at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The UNGA approved the resolution with 143 nations in total who voted in favor to condemn the annexation, while five nations–Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia, and Syria voted against the resolution.

Meanwhile, 35 nations abstained, including countries with ties to Russia such as China, India, and Pakistan.

South Africa also abstained from voting.

The resolution condemned the sham referendums that Russia conducted in Ukrainian territory, and the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, which were announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The resolution “condemns the organization by the Russian Federation of so-called referendums within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.”

The resolution also called on the UN and international agencies and organizations to not recognize changes in Russian borders as announced by Russia.

Moreover, the resolution demanded that Russia “immediately and unconditionally reverse” its actions.

United States President Joe Biden said in a statement that Russia “cannot erase a sovereign state from the map,” adding that “Russia is tearing at the very foundations of international peace and security.”

Biden also said that Russia is attacking the “core tenets” of the UN Charter, and added that “the world has sent a clear message in response.”

The Philippines was part of the 141 countries that condemned Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine at the UNGA in March.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement of the initial condemnation, saying “Mr. President, the Philippines votes Yes to the UNGA resolution and expresses explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine.”

However, the DFA did not mention Russia in their statement.

The UN resolution condemning the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine had two more nations voting in favor Bangladesh, Iraq, and Senegal, countries who abstained in the March resolution, this time voted to condemn Russia. (GFB)