Five Countries Refuse To Condemn Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine At The United Nations

A resolution has been put before the United Nations General Assembly to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The motion also called on Vladimir Putin to withdraw forces and end the bloodshed that has gone on for several days.

There was an overwhelming display of support for the resolution, with 141 countries backing it.

Interestingly, 34 countries, including the likes of China, India, South Africa, Vietnam, and Bolivia, abstained from voting.

Even more interesting was the five countries who voted against the resolution, meaning they support Russia's invasion of Ukraine and want the troops to stay there.

Those countries include Russia (kind of obviously), Belarus (also kind of obvious), Eritrea, Syria and North Korea.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield was pleased to see the huge number of countries support the motion at the United Nations and hopes it holds Russia accountable.

"We have seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine, which has no place on the battlefield," she said ahead of the vote.

"That includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs – which are banned under the Geneva Convention. 

"We have seen the 40-mile-long lethal convoy charging toward Kyiv. President Putin continues to escalate – putting Russia's nuclear forces on high alert, threatening to invade Finland and Sweden. 

"At every step of the way, Russia has betrayed the United Nations. Russia's actions go against everything this body stands for."

It's unclear when that massive convoy of armoured vehicles, tanks, artillery and support vehicles will arrive into Ukraine's capital.

A US official believed it might have stalled on its way to Kyiv, however it's unclear whether the lack of advancement was due to technical difficulties or because they were regrouping to stage an all-out assault.

As the convoy sits ominously close to the capital, Ukraine has called on America to deliver weapons ASAP.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told his American counterpart the Air Force is in desperate need of combat weapons so that it can ward off any Russian attack.

In a tweet, Kuleba said he's also hopeful the US will impose more sanctions on Russia to further cripple their movements.

"I emphasized: Ukraine needs additional deliveries of weapons, especially for our Air Force, now," Kuleba said.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.