UN General Assembly again censures Russia for war, calls for immediate end

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Russia was dealt a second major defeat by the international community on Thursday when the UN General Assembly again voted to denounce its war on Ukraine and called for an immediate end.

A total of 140 nations voted to censure Russia, with one less nation voting to do so compared to an earlier vote on March 2. It is the second time the General Assembly has directly named Russia as the aggressor, and the resolution renews the Assembly's demand for the Kremlin to immediately halt its offensive.

It specifically calls out the "aggression against Ukraine," and demands an "immediate cessation of the hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine."

Russia began its war Feb. 24. It has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 977 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,594 injured, according to UN estimates, while cautioning that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 3.6 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency.