Regime Abstains at the UN from Condemning Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
MIAMI, United States — The Cuban government chose to abstain in a recent vote at the UN General Assembly on a resolution reaffirming cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe, which makes explicit references to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The document, identified as Resolution A/79/L.75, was approved on Wednesday, April 16, by 105 member states.
The text, presented by Luxembourg and Lithuania, among other points, acknowledges “the unprecedented challenges currently faced by Europe following the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and previously against Georgia.” It also emphasizes the need to “swiftly restore and maintain peace and security based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of any State.”
Additionally, the resolution notes the creation of the “Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” and supports efforts toward the eventual establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression.
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Among the countries that voted against the resolution were Russia, the United States, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan. Alongside Cuba, 33 other delegations also abstained, while 46 countries did not participate in the vote.
Although the resolution does not exclusively focus on the war in Ukraine, the references to Russia’s actions in the European context were enough to cause division among member states. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2022, the Cuban government has maintained a position aligned with Moscow, either voting against or abstaining from resolutions that condemn the invasion.
The text also reaffirms the role of the Council of Europe in promoting 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-based violence, and the promotion of sustainable development.
During the debate, U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Shrier stated that the text “repeats statements about the war between Russia and Ukraine that the United States considers unhelpful in advancing the cause of peace.” Despite its opposition to the document’s language, Washington reiterated its support for a “comprehensive and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.”
For its part, the Russian delegation argued that the content of the resolution contains “unacceptable politicized language.”
This is the second recent occasion on which the United States has voted alongside Russia against a General Assembly resolution related to the Ukrainian conflict. In February 2025, both countries also opposed an initiative presented by Ukraine that condemned the Russian invasion.
The Cuban government, for its part, maintains its usual position of abstaining from resolutions that criticize the actions of the Kremlin and remains one of its closest political allies on the international stage.
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