UN approves resolution condemning Russia's invasion

The United Nations voted overwhelmingly for a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.

In an emergency session of the UN's General Assembly, 141 of the 193 member states voted for the resolution, 35 abstained from voting, and five voted against.

The resolution says the UN "deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine".

It demands that "the Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine" and "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces".

Syria, a close ally of Moscow, was the only country in the Middle East to vote against the resolution, with Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Mali and Sudan abstaining and Morocco having "no position". Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Israel all voted in favour of the resolution.

The vote follows last Friday's vote at the Security Council, which was vetoed by Russia. China abstained on both the Security Council and General Assembly votes.

It is the first time in 40 years the Security Council has referred a crisis to the assembly and only the 11th time an emergency session of the UN General Assembly has been called since 1950.