At the U.N. General Assembly, the U.S. beats Russia, 100-69, on Crimea
Monika Graff/Getty Images


Technically, Ukraine proposed the resolution at the United Nations that declared Russia's annexation of Crimea illegal and internationally unrecognized. But its strong passage in the U.N. General Assembly — 100 countries voted in favor, 11 against, and 58 abstained — was a victory for the U.S. and Europe. Here's the scorecard, from General Assembly President John W. Ashe, of Antigua and Barbuda:
Notice the "no" votes — Russia, Russian allies like Belarus and Syria, North Korea, and a handful of Latin American countries that consider the U.S. an antagonistic imperial power (Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua). The list of nations staying on the sidelines is more impressive and more interesting — China, India, and Pakistan, sure, but also Afghanistan, Egypt, and Brazil. For sake of argument, we'll take the fact they didn't vote against Crimea's nationality switch as a win for Russia.
With Europe and the U.S. on Ukraine's side, Russia on its own side, and the rest of the world powers sitting this out, the bulk of the "yes" votes came from smaller countries whose fates have long been determined by the whims of various superpowers and empires. The vote from the General Assembly won't deter Russia or change its course, but now we have a better sense of where the international cards lie.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why Rikers Island will no longer be under New York City's control
The Explainer A 'remediation manager' has been appointed to run the infamous jail
-
California may pull health care from eligible undocumented migrants
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After pushing for universal health care for all Californians regardless of immigration status, Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest budget proposal backs away from a key campaign promise
-
Is Apple breaking up with Google?
Today's Big Question Google is the default search engine in the Safari browser. The emergence of artificial intelligence could change that.
-
Suspect charged after 11 die in Vancouver car attack
Speed Read Kai-Ji Adam Lo drove an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival
-
Kenya arrests alleged ant smugglers
speed read Two young Belgians have been charged for attempting to smuggle ants out of the country to exotic pet buyers
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
-
Mexico extradites 29 cartel figures amid US tariff threat
Speed Read The extradited suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought after killing a US narcotics agent
-
Leonard Peltier released from prison
Speed Read The Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents had his life sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden
-
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years
Speed Read The former New Jersey senator was convicted on federal bribery and corruption charges last year