The United Nations General Assembly has voted to reject Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The resolution was proposed by Ukraine and backed by the United States and European Union. Ukraine’s acting minister for foreign affairs, Andrii Deshchytsia, spoke before the vote.

Andrii Deshchytsia: “Over the last months, we have witnessed the most flagrant violations of international law since the inception of the United Nations. After two weeks of military occupation, an integral part of Ukraine has been forcibly annexed by a state that had previously committed itself to guarantee the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country.”

The resolution declares this month’s referendum for secession in Crimea invalid. But Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said the people of Crimea had made the choice to join Russia.

Vitaly Churkin: “Mr. President, on March 21, an event occurred which is of truly historic significance, following the referendum in the Crimea, during which the overwhelming majority of the Crimean population voted in favor of being with Russia. Following that, there was a reunification of Crimea and the Russian Federation. We call on everyone to respect that voluntary choice, just as Russia has done.”

Ukraine plans to hold elections on May 25 following the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said Thursday she intends to run.