UNGA demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine, Pakistan abstains from voting

• 141 out of 193 United Nations member states voted for the non-binding resolution.
• Japan and New Zealand led condemnation from Asia, but the continent’s giants – China, India and Pakistan – all abstained.
• Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution that “demands” Russia “immediately” withdraw from Ukraine, however Pakistan has abstained taking part in voting against resolution.

Japan and New Zealand led condemnation from Asia, but the continent’s giants – China, India and Pakistan – all abstained. During the debate Beijing had stressed the world had “nothing to gain” from a new Cold War.

China was among the 35 countries which abstained, while just five — Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and of course Russia — voted against it.

Pakistan’s permanent representative at United Nations Munir Akram in his speech urged for dialogue and de-escalation.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine, and said that Pakistan had hoped that diplomacy could avert military conflict,” he said.