UN denounces Russian ‘annexation’ while West backs Ukraine with more air defenses

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s attempted annexation of
four Ukrainian areas while Kyiv’s allies committed more military aid after intense Russian missile strikes.
In New York, three quarters of the 193 – member General Assembly – 143 countries including Singapore
- voted on October 12, 2022 in favor of a resolution that called Moscow’s move illegal, deepening
Russia’s international isolation. Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution – Syria,
Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia's
strategic partner China as well as India, South Africa and Pakistan. In Brussels, more than 50 Western
countries met to pledge more military aid to Ukraine, especially air defense weapons, on the heels of
heavy retaliatory strikes this week ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to an
explosion on a bridge in Crimea. Pledges from allies included an announcement by France that it would
deliver radar and air defense systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks. Britain pledged air defense
missiles, and Canada said it would provide artillery rounds and winter clothing among other supplies.