RIYADH: Ukraine’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia took to Twitter to thank the Kingdom for its support of his nation’s territorial integrity during a vote at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
“Grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its steadfast position and support of the UNGA Resolution, “Territorial Integrity, Defending the Principles of the UN Charter.” Your voice was heard loud and clear,” Anatolii Petrenko tweeted.
A total of 143 member states voted in favor of the resolution, titled “Defending the Principles” of the UN charter, which condemns Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories and calls for Moscow to reverse its annexation declaration.
According to the charter, the acts of aggression resulting in Russia’s occupation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia are a violation of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and political rights.
Four other Gulf countries — Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar — also voted in favor of the charter.
Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Russia, and Syria all voted against the resolution, and 35 members abstained, but it was insufficient to prevent it from passing with a large majority.
Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, said that “all countries must abstain from the use of force.”
The Kingdom’s vote in favor of the draft resolution was in line with its position of “upholding the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s support for the UN resolution comes after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman helped secure the release of 300 prisoners from various countries as part of an exchange program between Russia and Ukraine in September.
Anatolii Petrenko tweeted that he is greatful to Saudi Arabia for the UN vote. (Twitter)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called the crown prince to thank him for his work in mediation and securing the prisoners’ release.
The Kingdom has repeatedly expressed its support for alleviating the humanitarian effects of the conflict and will continue to mediate between all parties.
In August, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center pledged $10 million to help fund emergency health and shelter projects for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
