Europeans Prevail in UN Showdown with US Regarding Competing Resolutions on Ukraine Conflict | US News
The United States opted to abstain from a UN General Assembly vote regarding a resolution it had drafted concerning the war in Ukraine, subsequent to the assembly’s approval of amendments suggested by European nations.
This vote coincided with the assembly’s endorsement of a parallel resolution supported by Ukraine, backed by European countries, which called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
The conflicting proposals illustrate the rising tensions between the US and Ukraine following Donald Trump’s abrupt initiation of negotiations with Russia, aimed at swiftly resolving the ongoing conflict.
This situation also highlights the growing strain in US-European relations due to the Trump administration’s approach to engagement with Moscow.
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The US’s resolution, commemorating three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sought to bring an end to the conflict but notably omitted any reference to Moscow’s aggression.
Furthermore, it did not address Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
After amendments proposed by European nations, the resolution was revised to include references to Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine and the necessity for a durable peace in accordance with the UN Charter.
Additionally, the amendments incorporated references to Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The revised US resolution garnered 93 votes in favor, while 73 countries abstained — including the US — and eight, including Russia, voted against it.
In contrast, the Ukraine-backed resolution received 93 votes in favor, with 65 abstaining and 18 voting against it.
The UK, France, and Germany were among those countries that supported the Ukraine-backed resolution, which advocated for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
The US, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea were among those opposing it.
The US voted against Ukraine’s resolution. Pic: AP
This outcome represents a setback for the Trump administration within the UN General Assembly, where resolutions are not legally binding but serve as an indication of global opinion.
Nevertheless, the results also reflect a decrease in support for Ukraine, as over 140 nations had expressed condemnation for Russia’s aggression in earlier votes.
US officials had attempted to persuade Ukraine to withdraw its resolution in favor of the US draft, as emphasized by a US official and a European diplomat.
US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea remarked that numerous previous UN resolutions condemning Russia and demanding the withdrawal of its troops “have failed to stop the war,” which “has now dragged on for far too long and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine and Russia and beyond”.
“What we need is a resolution signaling the commitment from all UN member states to achieve a durable end to the conflict,” Ms. Shea stated.
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Dorothy Shea remarked that the war has ‘dragged on too long’. Pic: Reuters
The global community is commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, as America’s allies attempt to adjust to a changing reality with Washington’s position seemingly tilting toward Moscow.
European leaders expressed disappointment last week when they and Ukraine were excluded from initial discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
Mr. Trump has referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator,” mistakenly accused Kyiv of instigating the war, and cautioned that he “better act quickly, or he may not have a country left”.
In response, Mr. Zelenskyy stated that the US president appears to be entrenched in a Russian-manufactured “disinformation space”.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is in discussions with Mr. Trump at the White House regarding a peace initiative for Ukraine.
At the outset of their meeting, Mr. Trump told reporters that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential settlement.
Messrs. Trump and Macron have been meeting after participating in a call with G7 leaders.
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Trump on Ukraine’s territory: ‘We’ll see’
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who will meet with Mr. Trump at the White House on Thursday, participated virtually and emphasized that G7 nations should be prepared to “take on more risk”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was visiting Kyiv, labeled Russia’s aggression as a direct assault on “our way of life”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that strengthening Ukraine’s resilience is Europe’s “first priority”.
She announced a further commitment of €3.5 billion (approximately £3 billion) in aid to Ukraine, along with an expedited delivery of weapons and increased investment.
