SA abstains from UN vote to condemn Russia's 'illegal annexation' of Ukraine

The General Assembly approved the resolution with 143 in favour and five against, but 35 nations abstained including South Africa, China, India, and Pakistan.

The United States put special energy into seeking to persuade South Africa, which has a historically close relationship with Russia.

But this proved to be unsuccessful. 

"South Africa considers the territorial integrity of states and that of Ukraine to be sacrosanct, and we reject all actions that undermine the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law," said South Africa's representative, Mathu Joyini.

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"We have abstained on the resolution because we believe that the objective of this assembly in keeping with its mandate must always be to contribute to a constructive outcome conducive to the creation of sustainable peace in Ukraine," she said.

Western powers counter that Russia is not genuinely interested in peace, as witnessed by deadly strikes on civilians in Kyiv and western Ukraine.

India's envoy, Ruchira Kamboj, said that "the entire Global South has suffered a substantial collateral damage" from the war and that "pressing issues" were not addressed in the resolution.