In a significant development for Ukraine, as it commemorates three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the United States on Monday was unable to secure U.N. General Assembly approval for its resolution that called for an end to the conflict without specifically mentioning Moscow’s actions. In contrast, the assembly endorsed a competing resolution supported by European nations, which demands Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.
This outcome represents a setback for the Trump administration within the 193-member international organization, where resolutions, while not legally binding, serve as indicators of global sentiment. Additionally, it suggests a slight decrease in backing for Ukraine, as its resolution garnered 93 votes in favor, 18 against, with 65 abstentions. This marks a decline from previous votes that saw more than 140 countries condemning Russia’s actions.
According to a U.S. official and a European diplomat who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions, the United States attempted to persuade Ukraine to retract its resolution in favor of its own proposal. Ukraine declined, prompting the assembly to modify the U.S. proposal to clearly state that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contravened the U.N. Charter.
The voting on the adjusted U.S. resolution concluded with 93 affirmative votes, 8 opposing, and 73 abstentions, with Ukraine in favor, the U.S. abstaining, and Russia opposing.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa stated that her nation is exercising its “inherent right to self-defense” due to Russia’s invasion, which breaches the U.N. Charter’s stipulation that nations must honor the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others.
“As we mark three years of this devastation — Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine — we urge all nations to remain resolute and to support … the principles of the Charter, humanity, and a just and enduring peace achieved through strength,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea noted that multiple previous U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and calling for the withdrawal of its troops “have failed to halt the conflict,” which “has persisted for too long and at an unbearable cost to the individuals in Ukraine, Russia, and beyond.”
“What we require is a resolution reaffirming the commitment from all U.N. member states to ensure a lasting conclusion to the war,” Shea emphasized.
The opposing resolutions highlight the emerging tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine following President Trump’s sudden initiative to engage Russia in negotiations to swiftly resolve the situation. This also underscores the strain within the transatlantic alliance, particularly with Europe, regarding the Trump administration’s remarkable shift in stance toward engagement with Moscow. European leaders expressed frustration about being excluded from preliminary discussions held last week.
In an escalating exchange, Mr. Trump labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator,” incorrectly claimed that Kyiv instigated the war, and warned that he “better move fast” to negotiate an end to hostilities or risk losing his country. Zelenskyy countered by asserting that Mr. Trump was functioning within a Russian-fueled “disinformation space.”
Since then, the Trump administration has not only refrained from backing Ukraine’s U.N. resolution but also at the last moment introduced its competing resolution and urged its allies to advocate for that version. This occurs alongside Mr. Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington on Monday.
The U.S. also sought to put its proposal forward in the more influential U.N. Security Council. China, which is presiding over the council this month, has arranged for this to happen on Monday afternoon.
The General Assembly has emerged as the most pivotal U.N. body concerning Ukraine since the 15-member Security Council, tasked with ensuring international peace and security, has been rendered ineffective due to Russia’s veto power.
There are no vetoes in the assembly, and the Ukrainian resolution, co-sponsored by all 27 members of the European Union, is expected to pass. While votes there are closely monitored as measures of global opinion, the resolutions adopted do not carry legal weight, unlike those from the Security Council.
Since Russian forces invaded on February 24, 2022, the General Assembly has passed several resolutions condemning the invasion and insisting on the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces.
The voting on the rival resolutions — which have prompted intense lobbying efforts, according to one European diplomat — will be scrutinized to determine whether support for Ukraine has diminished and to evaluate backing for Mr. Trump’s initiative to negotiate peace.
The succinct U.S. draft resolution expresses acknowledgment of “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “implores a swift end to the conflict while urging a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.” Notably, it does not reference Moscow’s invasion.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, commented to reporters last week that the U.S. resolution represented “a good move.”
In contrast, Ukraine’s resolution explicitly refers to “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation” and reiterates the necessity to implement all preceding assembly resolutions “adopted in response to the aggression against Ukraine.”
It underscores the assembly’s demand that Russia “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military units from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
The proposal also raises alarms about the involvement of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces, highlighting “serious concerns regarding further escalation of this conflict.”
It reaffirms the assembly’s commitment to upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and declares that “no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal.”
The resolution advocates for “a de-escalation, a prompt cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine,” reiterating “the urgent necessity to conclude the war this year.”
