U.S. Votes with Russia Against UN Resolution on Ukraine
On Monday, the United States voted alongside Russia against a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine. This marked a surprising shift in U.S. policy, moving away from its usual support for Ukraine. The vote placed the U.S. at odds with its European allies and aligned it with Russia on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. and Russia’s Joint Vote in the Security Council
Later the same day, the U.S. and Russia voted together again on a U.S.-proposed resolution in the UN Security Council. This resolution did not label Russia as the aggressor nor recognize Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It passed with 10 votes in favor, including Russia’s, and five abstentions from European members of the Security Council.
Shift in U.S. Policy Under Trump Administration
This alignment between the U.S. and Russia comes as the Trump administration has engaged in talks with Moscow about ending the war. President Trump has become increasingly critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In response to this shift, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are adjusting their approach and met with Trump at the White House on Monday.
European-Backed Resolution on Ukraine
The European-backed UN General Assembly resolution was adopted with 93 votes in favor. It expressed concern over the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and its devastating impact, calling for a peaceful resolution and demanding Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Also: Kash Patel urges FBI staff to disregard Elon Musk’s “prove-your-worth” email.
U.S. Competing Resolution at the General Assembly
The U.S. introduced its own resolution, which did not call Russia the aggressor or acknowledge Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Instead, it urged a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. This U.S. resolution was also introduced at the Security Council, where it passed despite European opposition.
Russian Praise for U.S. Resolution
Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, praised the U.S. resolution, calling it a positive step toward future peace efforts. U.S. charge d’affaires Dorothy Shea described the resolution as an important first step toward peace, noting it would help build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community.
European Disagreement with the U.S. Resolution
However, European ambassadors strongly disagreed with the resolution. French Ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Rivière, argued that rewarding aggression would harm global peace. UK Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, stated that only a just peace, one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, would be acceptable. She emphasized that no peace could be sustainable without Ukraine’s agreement.
U.S. Abstains on Its Own Resolution
Earlier at the General Assembly, Shea had urged members to support the U.S. resolution and opposed Ukraine’s resolution. After amendments were made to the U.S. resolution that reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the U.S. abstained from voting on its own resolution.
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