Tue Feb 25 05:15:51 UTC 2025: ## India Abstains as UN Calls for Peace in Ukraine on War’s Anniversary
**New York, February 25, 2025** – The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on Monday calling for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, marking the war’s third anniversary. The resolution, which passed with 93 votes in favor, 65 abstentions, and 18 against, urged de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a just and lasting peace. Significantly, India was among the 65 countries that abstained.
The resolution, tabled by Ukraine and its European allies, emphasized the need for Russia’s complete withdrawal from Ukrainian territory, accountability for war crimes, and the release of prisoners of war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared “enough is enough,” reiterating the urgent need for de-escalation and an end to hostilities. He highlighted the devastating human cost of the war, noting over 12,600 civilian deaths.
A separate US resolution, amended to specifically condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion, also passed with a similar abstention rate from India. The US Ambassador to the UN expressed disappointment that previous resolutions demanding a Russian withdrawal had failed to end the conflict.
India’s abstention on both resolutions reflects its continued neutral stance on the conflict, despite the international pressure for a clearer condemnation of Russia’s actions. The resolution’s adoption was met with applause from many member states in the UNGA hall.
First Piper 