Again: regime refrains at the UN to condemn Russia’s invasion to Ukraine

Miami, United States. – The Government of Cuba opted for abstention in a recent vote of the UN General Assembly on a resolution that reaffirms cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe and that makes explicit references to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The document, identified as Resolution A/79/L.75was approved on Wednesday, April 16 by 105 member countries.

The text was presented by Luxembourg and Lithuania and, among other points, recognizes “the unprecedented challenges that Europe is currently facing after the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and previously against Georgia.” It also refers to the need to “quickly restore and maintain peace and security based on the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of any state.”

In addition, the resolution indicates the creation of the “Damage Registry caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” and supports the efforts for the eventual establishment of a special court to judge the crimes of aggression.

Among the countries that voted against the resolution are Russia, the United States, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger and Sudan. Together with Cuba, another 33 delegations also abstained, while 46 countries did not participate in the vote.

Although the resolution is not specific to war in Ukraine, the mentions of the acts of Russia in the European context were enough to mark divisions between the Member States. From the beginning of the conflict in 2022, the Cuban government has maintained a position aligned with Moscowvoting against or refraining in resolutions that condemn the invasion.

The text also reaffirms the role of the Council of Europe in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and highlights its willingness to collaborate with the United Nations in various areas, including the fight against human trafficking, racism, gender violence and the promotion of sustainable development.

During the debate, the American ambassador Jonathan Shrier said that the text “repeats statements about the war between Russia and Ukraine that the United States considers useless to advance the cause of peace.” Despite his opposition to the language of the document, Washington reiterated his support for a “integral and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.”

For its part, the Russian delegation considered that the content of the resolution contains an “unacceptable politicized language.”

This is the second recent occasion in which the United States votes with Russia against a resolution of the General Assembly related to the Ukrainian conflict. In February 2025, both countries also opposed an initiative presented by Ukraine that condemned the Russian invasion.

The Government of Cuba, meanwhile, maintains its usual position of abstention against resolutions that question the Kremlin performance and continues as one of its closest political allies in the international arena.