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Kyiv “upset” by Belarus’ decision to side with Russia on UN resolution

The decisions by Belarus and Armenia to vote against a UN resolution that affirmed Ukraine's territorial integrity has upset Kyiv, said Yevhen Perebyinis, spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry.

“We will take into account this stance while making decisions on the development of relations with these countries,” said the official.

Ukraine is also aware that the decisions to “support the dismemberment of Ukraine do not reflect the thoughts of millions of Belarusians and Armenians,” he added.

Thursday’s vote on the Ukraine-sponsored resolution in the 193-member UN General Assembly was 100 countries in favor, 11 opposed and 58 abstentions. Twenty-four countries did not vote. The resolution described the referendum that led to Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula as illegal.

The countries that voted against the resolution included Russian-supported dictatorial regimes such as North Korea and Syria, as well as Zimbabwe, which is known for its world-highest inflation, and Sudan, a country associated with civil war and genocide, said Mr. Perebyinis.

The other countries that voted against the resolution were Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia and Venezuela. //BelaPAN