In a surprising turn of events, the United States joined Russia in voting against a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. This unexpected move marks a significant shift from years of US policy and has stirred international discussions.
The vote, which opposed the resolution backed by Ukraine and European nations, placed the US at odds with its long-standing European allies. Instead, it aligned with Russia, the aggressor in the conflict, on the third anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This decision comes as the Trump administration seeks to engage in talks with Moscow to resolve the conflict, with President Donald Trump intensifying his rhetoric toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The General Assembly resolution was adopted with 93 votes in favor. It expressed "concern that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has persisted for three years and continues to cause devastating and long-lasting consequences not only for Ukraine but also for other regions and global stability." The resolution calls for a de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine.
In response, the US introduced a rival resolution at the General Assembly, which notably did not label Russia as the aggressor or affirm Ukraine's territorial integrity. The US resolution "implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia." It mourns "the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict" and reiterates "the principal purpose of the United Nations, as expressed in the United Nations Charter, is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes."
The US is expected to present the same draft resolution at the UN Security Council later on Monday. Prior to the vote in the General Assembly, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the charge d'affaires at the US Mission to the UN, urged "all Member States, including Ukraine and Russia" to support the resolution. "A simple, historic statement from the General Assembly that looks forward, not backwards. A resolution focused on one, simple idea: Ending the war. A path to peace is possible," she stated.
Ambassador Shea further explained, "Mr. President, that is why the United States opposed putting forward another resolution. And that is why we cannot support Ukraine’s resolution, and we urge its withdrawal in favor of a strong statement committing us to end the war and work towards a lasting peace."
Ultimately, the US abstained from voting on its own resolution at the General Assembly after several amendments were passed to strengthen the language against Russia and reaffirm Ukraine's territorial integrity.
