The United Nations has called on Russia to withdraw immediately from the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. Moscow must immediately end the „temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory“ and withdraw all soldiers and weapons from the peninsula, it said in a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly that night.
The vote took place at the initiative of around 40 countries, including Germany, France, the USA and the Baltic states. 63 countries voted for the non-binding resolution, 17 member states voted against and 62 others abstained.
Russia accepted Crimea into its own territory in March 2014 following a referendum that was not recognized by Ukraine and the West. The government in Kiev and the West speak of an annexation that is contrary to international law and continue to regard Crimea as part of Ukraine.
