The United Nations (UN) General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in support of a draft resolution for peace in Ukraine on Thursday.

Member states have been participating in an Emergency Special Session to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

All eyes were on the General Assembly Hall as the special emergency session on Ukraine continued for a second day. Ukraine put forward the draft resolution stressing "the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in line with the UN Charter.

During the vote, which is not legally binding but carries moral weight and political pressure, 141 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 32 abstained and seven voted no.

"We are satisfied with the outcome and the outcome is clear. It doesn't matter what Russia tries and how it attempts to undermine international order and the coalition in support of Ukraine territorial integrity it fails one time after another," Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the assembly.

Earlier in the day several countries had an opportunity to address the General Assembly – some in favor of the draft resolution and others against.

"As I stand here before our Assembly, I wish to express France's absolute determination, and to support Ukraine so that can not only resist, exercise its right to self-defense, a right recognized by our common charter but also so that it can enforce its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Catherine Colonna, the French foreign minister said.

China, who abstained from the vote, told the General Assembly that the international community should assist with facilitating peace talks. It says sending weapons to Ukraine won't bring about peace.

"We support Russia and Ukraine moving towards each other resuming direct dialogue as soon as possible bring their legitimate concerns into the negotiations and setting out feasible options putting an early end to the crisis," charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN, Dai Bing, said.

Dai noted that the top priority is to facilitate a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities without delay. "Conflicts and wars have no winners. The longer the brutality, the greater the human suffering. We once again call on the parties to the conflict to remain rational, restrain their impulses, and prevent the crisis from getting worse or even out of control." 

Dai pointed out that parties should strictly abide by the Convention on Nuclear Safety and guard against man-made nuclear accidents, and that nuclear weapons cannot be used.

The ambassador called on the international community to make joint efforts to facilitate peace talks. 

"One year into the Ukraine crisis, brutal facts have offered ample proof that sending weapons will not bring peace, adding fuel to the fire will only exacerbate tensions, and prolonging and expanding the conflict will only make ordinary people pay an even heftier price," he said. 

"We reiterate our appeal that diplomacy and negotiation cannot be abandoned, and efforts towards ceasefire and talks must go on. The international community should create conditions for this to happen, rather than fanning the flames and seeking self-interest," he added.

Dai said "we urge the countries concerned to stop abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. Instead, they should act in a way conducive to de-escalation. The international community should strengthen coordination and cooperation in energy, finance, grain trade, and transportation, and work together to mitigate these spillover effects of the crisis."

"We support the UN General Assembly in playing an active role in bridging differences, building consensus, and forging synergy among member states," he added.

Foreign ministers gathered in New York will participate in a ministerial gathering at the Security Council to discuss the Ukraine conflict on Friday.

(With input from Xinhua)

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