Ukraine and Russia lobbied countries at the United Nations for backing ahead of a vote by the 193-member General Assembly that the United States declared will “go down in history”, Reuters reports. The General Assembly appeared ready to adopt a resolution presented by Ukraine and its supporters, stressing “the need to achieve, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in accordance with the founding Charter of the United Nations.

The draft UN resolution, which is not binding but carries political weight, reflects a request the General Assembly made last year for Moscow to withdraw its troops and end hostilities. Russia called the text “unbalanced and anti-Russian” and urged countries to vote no.  According to Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya, “the West's actions aim to inflict strategic defeat on Russia and to dismember and destroy it.”

In a video address, Vladimir Putin congratulated veterans, military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and all Russian citizens on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day. In his words, Russia will put its focus on strengthening the nuclear triad. “This year the first Sarmat missile system launchers with the new heavy missile will be put on combat duty”, said Putin.

US President Joe Biden called Russia's decision to suspend participation in a nuclear arms treaty a big mistake. However, Joe Biden said he did not read into Vladimir Putin's decision to temporarily suspend participation in a nuclear arms treaty as a signal the Russian president was considering using nuclear weapons.