New York, 24 February 2026 – With the Russian-led war in Ukraine entering a fifth year, the United Nations General Assembly renewed its support for the war-torn country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it called for an immediate, full and unconditional cease-fire.
The 193-nation assembly adopted a resolution titled “Support for lasting peace in Ukraine”, which called for the cease-fire, with a 107-12 vote. A total of 51 countries abstained, including the United States. The war broke out on February 24, 2022, in what Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, said had shattered the peaceful aspirations of the European continent.
The United States abstained after its delegation to the United Nations failed to convince the assembly to take a separate vote on two paragraphs included the resolution, which it said would “distract” from current US diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
“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,” Baerbock told journalists in Geneva. “But this changed four years ago with the full invasion [by] Russia, of the neighbouring country of Ukraine.”
The resolution said its demand for the cease-fire and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty is in line with the UN Charter. It also called for the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children.
Baerbock said in an address to the assembly, “This war, initiated by a permanent member of the Security Council in blatant violation of our Charter, continues to inflict untold suffering on the Ukrainian people. And even as peace negotiations have been ongoing for some time now, the year 2025 stood as the deadliest for civilians since the start of this invasion.”
“Since the beginning thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including children, have been killed or injured. War-related humanitarian needs have only intensified, as the impact of relentless attacks and displacement is felt across the entire length and breadth of Ukraine.”
She said close to 4 million people remain internally displaced, while 5.7 million more live as refugees globally and nearly one-third of the population has been forced to flee, including more than half of all Ukrainian children.
“This violence spares no one: not mothers or fathers, not grandparents, and certainly not children,” the UN official said.
“This war needs to finally end… Any peace agreement must be grounded in the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” Baerbock said.
UN News reported on February 24 quoting Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine as saying that 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
“We are witnessing the devastating impact of systematic attacks on energy infrastructure that have disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies across the country, in some cases leaving entire towns without electricity and water supply for weeks,” Schmale said from Kiyv.
Schmale said data showed that at least 2,500 civilians were killed and more 12,000 injured in 2025, a more than 30 per cent increase compared with 2024.
UN Security Council holds meeting on Ukraine war – The 15-nation Security Council, whose resolutions are binding on UN member states, also held a debate on the war, but it took no action.
UN News reported that Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General, saying “the war remains a stain on our collective conscience.” It has “shattered lives, devastated communities, and deepened regional and global instability,” she said.
She highlighted the “catastrophic” human toll which includes more than 15,000 civilians killed, 41,000 injured and millions forced to flee their homes, while “a whole generation has lost years of education as schools have come under fire.”
Amid the current winter season, characterized by sub-zero temperatures, Russia has intensified strikes against Ukraine’s energy system.
As civilians in Russia are also increasingly affected by reported Ukrainian strikes, she called for both sides to implement an immediate moratorium on such attacks.
The fighting also poses direct risks to the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites and “this unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately.”
As war rages on, “the UN is working closely with the Government to repair damaged infrastructure, keep people warm, and sustain critical services,” she said.
“Despite limited access and the deteriorating security situation, we are also working with local partners to deliver food, water, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, including to those in front-line communities,” she added, urging Member States to fully fund the humanitarian response.
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