Sierra Leone joined 92 other United Nations (UN) member states in voting for a resolution aimed at restoring peace and stability in Ukraine during a special session of the General Assembly on Monday, February 24, 2025.

The resolution, titled “The Path to Peace,” saw 92 countries vote in favor, 8 against, and 70 abstain. The UN commended Sierra Leone for its support.

“Profound gratitude to Julius Maada Bio, the Government, and people of Salone, for your commitment to the UN Charter and territorial integrity. Your support for peace in Ukraine is commendable,” the UN statement read.

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The resolution, drafted by Ukraine and several European nations, highlighted the global repercussions of the ongoing conflict, including its impact on food security, energy, the economy, nuclear safety, and the environment. Concerns were also raised about reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces, warning of potential escalation.

The document calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. It urges intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and reaffirms previous UN resolutions demanding Russia’s immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mariana Betsa, described the vote as “a vote for peace,” urging all nations to “stand firm and to take the side of the (UN) Charter, the side of humanity and the side of just and lasting peace.”

US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Dorothy Shea, acknowledged previous UN resolutions demanding Russian withdrawal but argued for a resolution focused on a “durable end to the war.” She expressed reservations about the Ukrainian resolution and proposed amendments, including those from France and EU envoys that explicitly identified Russia as the “aggressor.”

Shea argued against these amendments, stating they “pursue a war of words rather than an end to the war,” and warned that they could hinder consensus. She also argued that the US resolution would be a better path to peace.