Ukraine criticizes new world map after Crimea is shown in a different color

Ukraine has criticized a new United Nations-approved world map because Crimea appears in a different color from the rest of the country.

The map uses the Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018, instead of the Mercator projection from 1569. On the new version, Ukraine is green, Russia is yellow and Crimea is shown in pale pink.

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in a way that is completely unacceptable

A total of 164 UN member states voted on Friday to approve the map. Ukraine was one of six countries that abstained, saying in an official statement that Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory had been portrayed “in a way that is completely unacceptable.”

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The resolution does not recognize, support or endorse any claim concerning disputed territories, changes to existing borders or changes to the legal status of any territory.

Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. The UN later voted to condemn the annexation, with only a small number of countries opposing the proposal. Ukraine said the new map conflicts with the UN’s position on that annexation, while stressing that it did not oppose the resolution overall.

The European Union said the resolution does not address sovereignty or territorial status, either within the EU or elsewhere. It said the measure does not recognize, support or endorse claims involving disputed territories, changes to existing borders or changes to any territory’s legal status. The United States was the only country to vote against the map, arguing that it formed part of a broader “radical ideological project” and that such resolutions weaken the UN’s credibility.

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radical ideological project