UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly adopted on Thursday by a simple majority a Western-sponsored resolution denouncing Russia’s annexation of Crimea — with 100 votes in favour, 58 abstentions and 11 votes against.

Addressing the assembly ahead of the vote Ukraine’s Foreign Minister urged the international community to back the resolution in a bid to deter the risk of any future Russian aggression. ”It sends an essential message that the international community will not allow what has happened in Crimea to set a precedent to further challenge to our rules based in framework,” acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya told the assembly.

Ukraine had submitted the draft resolution, writing the text in moderate language in the hope of attracting a maximum number of votes, and it makes no direct reference to Russia.

The resolution reiterates that the March 16 referendum in Crimea has “no validity” and asks countries not to recognise any alteration of the status of the Black Sea peninsula.

It calls on all states to refrain from any attempts to modify Ukraine’s borders through the threat or use of force or other unlawful means and calls for dialogue to resolve the crisis.