The resolution called on Sates, international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize any change in the status of autonomous Crimea or the city of Sevastopol on the basis of the invalid referendum of 16 March 2014. The resolution also urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution of the situation in Ukraine through direct political dialogue, and to engage fully with international mediation efforts.
"The adoption of this resolution sends a clear message that any change of borders by force is not acceptable. By voting in favour of this resolution the UN member states reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations," the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said.
The resolution was submitted to the UN General Assembly by Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Canada and Costa Rica. The vote on the resolution was 100 countries in favour, 11 opposed and 58 abstentions.
The resolution reaffirming the commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and declaring the referendum of 16 March invalid was submitted to the UN Security Council earlier this month. The UN Security Council failed to adopt the text as Russia vetoed it.
