Most of the region supported the measure, with one nay vote, a pair of notable changes since the March resolution, and several strong statements in support of territorial integrity.
On October 12, the UN voted on whether to condemn Russia’s illegal referendums and annexations in Ukrainian territory over the past month. This was the General Assembly’s second condemnation resolution since the war began in February. The first was adopted on March 2, just a week after Russia’s invasion, with members voting overwhelmingly (141-5) to denounce the attack and demand that Moscow withdraw its military forces. In the Middle East and North Africa, fourteen countries voted in support of the March measure, one voted against, three abstained, and one did not vote.
Seven months later, 143 UN members voted in favor of the new resolution, including sixteen countries in the Middle East and North Africa. One country in the region voted against it, one abstained, and another did not vote (see below for full details). Notably, Iraq supported the current resolution after abstaining in March; Morocco did the same after not voting on the first resolution. Neither country provided public comment on its decisions.
Algeria
March 2: Abstain
October 12: Abstain
Statement by Algeria’s permanent representative to the UN: “Algeria would like to express its grave concern over the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine and the exacerbation of polarization that contributes largely to the escalation of the crisis and its repercussions on international peace and security. In this regard...Algeria would like to confirm yet once again that we are firmly committed to the principles of international law and the principles and objectives of the charter of the United Nations, particularly respect for the sovereignty of states and categorical opposition to the annexation of territories. We appeal to the international community and to the United Nations to discharge their responsibilities and to cease fully the approach of double standards, and to work on ending all forms of occupation and annexation of territories by force that are listed on our agenda for decades, particularly in Palestine, the occupied Syrian Golan, and Western Sahara.”
Bahrain
March 2: In Favor
October 12: In Favor
Egypt
March 2: In Favor
October 12: In Favor
Statement by Egypt’s permanent representative to the UN: “The delegation of Egypt supported the draft resolution in accordance with its principles, namely, preserving the principles and purposes of the UN Charter rejecting the threat or use of force in disputes and choosing peaceful methods of dispute settlement, as well as respecting the territorial integrity of states. Egypt reiterates its call to the parties in the conflict, namely Russia and Ukraine, and all those with influence to bear to put an end to the hostilities and contain the negative impacts that this conflict is having on civilians in order to make sure that both parties’ interests can be addressed in an equal manner and to ensure international peace, stability, and security. This crisis is impacting the entire world; developing states, including Egypt, are the most affected when it comes to energy and food prices, in particular the price of grain, which is an essential commodity for our population. There are also impacts on economic activity, employment, and inflation, and our concerns about these impacts are not being heard. Egypt calls for reason, calls to dialogue, and to refrain from any actions that would worsen this crisis.”
Iran
March 2: Abstain
October 12: No vote
Statement by Iran’s permanent representative to the UN: “As a country that has been confronted with and affected by the devastation caused by an imposed war, the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes any conflict or war anywhere in the world. The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently supported peace and ending the conflict in Ukraine, and urged the parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalating tensions, and engage in a meaningful process for addressing the root causes of the situation and settling their disputes through peaceful means. It also urged the parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and conduct consultations to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from military targets or attacks.”
Iraq
March 2: Abstain
October 12: In favor
Israel
March 2: In favor, cosponsor
October 12: In favor
Jordan
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Kuwait
March 2: In favor, cosponsor
October 12: In favor
Lebanon
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Libya
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Morocco
March 2: No vote
October 12: In favor
Oman
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Qatar
March 2: In favor, cosponsor
October 12: In favor
October 3 statement by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The state of Qatar is following with great concern the current developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis concerning Russia’s announcement of the annexation of Ukrainian territories, stressing the necessity of respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and pursuing dialogue as a way to resolve the crisis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the position of the state of Qatar on the need to adhere to the United Nations Charter and the well-established principles of international law, including obligations under the Charter to settle international disputes by peaceful means.”
Saudi Arabia
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Statement by Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council: “The states of the GCC follow with extreme concern the situation in Ukraine since the conflict started. We would like to stress that the countries of the council have friendly relations with all parties and are convinced that the best way to avoid any negative repercussions is through settlement of the crisis diplomatically and dialogue in a way that caters to the interests of all parties concerned. Therefore, members of the council urge all parties to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and adopt peaceful means for the resolution of disputes. The voting of the member states of the GCC in favor of the draft resolution comes out of our commitment to the firm principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We confirm the need to respect sovereignty of states, good neighborly relationships, and abstention from the use or threat of use of force, as well as settling disputes peacefully.”
Syria
March 2: Against
October 12: Against
Statement by the Syrian Arab News Agency: “Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Bassam Sabbagh, said that the continued hostile and provocative approach adopted by some Western countries toward the crisis in Ukraine is a clear indication that these countries seek to inflame the war and stir the new Nazism trend in Ukraine, referring to a draft resolution submitted by the Western states to the UN General Assembly. ‘Syria condemns the systematized campaign launched by Western states and their media tools against Russia through broadcasting fake information, fabricated accusations, and false photos and videos, which aim to impede the natural right of Russia to defend its people,’ Sabbagh said.”
Tunisia
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Turkey
March 2: In favor, cosponsor
October 12: In favor, cosponsor
Statement by Turkey’s permanent representative to the UN: “Russia’s attacks on many Ukrainian cities, which today have caused civilian casualties, are deeply worrying and unacceptable. We reiterate once again our strong support for [Ukraine’s] integrity, independence, and sovereignty. We also unequivocally reject the illegitimate referendums. Russia’s decision to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine is illegal. It constitutes a gross violation of international law. It cannot be accepted.”
United Arab Emirates
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
Yemen
March 2: In favor
October 12: In favor
This compilation was prepared by David Patkin, Erik Yavorsky, Faris Almaari, Frances McDonough, Sude Akgundogdu, Sarah Cahn, Gabriel Epstein, Lauren von Thaden, May Kadow, and Moeed Baradaran, under the auspices of The Washington Institute’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East.
