War in Ukraine drags into second year, Russia isolated in UN vote
With no end in sight, a U.N. vote demanding that Russia withdraw its forces, and international leaders preparing to increase aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Moscow and nations supporting its war effort, the war in Ukraine entered its second year on Friday.
On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, international supporters of Ukraine showed their support as conflict continued in the country’s east and south.
People wearing Ukrainian flags and holding up signs reading, “If you stand for freedom, stand for Ukraine” gathered during a vigil in London, while Paris lit the Eiffel Tower in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag.
Because Ukraine will prevail in this conflict, there will be life after it, declared Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo in a speech.
On Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution requesting that Russia leave and cease hostilities.
There were 141 yes votes and 32 no votes. Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Syria, and Russia were among the six nations that abstained with Russia.
China, an ally of Russia, abstained from the U.N. vote.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, criticized the UN action as “useless.”
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, praised the outcome.
He wrote on Twitter, “This resolution is a powerful symbol of unwavering worldwide support for Ukraine.”
As the anniversary drew near, the Ukrainian military reported an upsurge in Russian action in the east and south, with at least 25 towns and villages in three northern areas close to the Russian border coming under fire.
