Nigeria has joined 106 other nations at the United Nations to reaffirm support for Ukraine, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
The UN General Assembly convened an emergency special session on Tuesday, adopting a resolution titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”. The motion was passed with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including that of the United States.
The resolution calls for a comprehensive and enduring peace, demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. It emphasises the international community’s commitment to upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the invasion as a seismic shock to Europe’s long-standing peace. “Four years ago, people in Europe woke up in another world because generations like mine have always had the privilege to live a life in peace. This changed with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” she said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the invasion, calling it a threat to regional and global stability. “This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness. The longer it continues, the deadlier it becomes, and civilians bear the brunt,” he said, citing 2025 as the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since the conflict began.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mariana Betsa, described the invasion as “a war against the rules-based international order,” highlighting mass civilian strikes, nuclear risks, and the deportation of children as potential war crimes. She called for binding security guarantees, stronger sanctions, and an immediate ceasefire, insisting that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains a non-negotiable red line.
In contrast, Russia’s delegate accused European nations of fuelling the conflict while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed diplomacy as the preferred path and argued that any settlement must address the war’s root causes and reflect “new territorial realities.”
