On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US has demonstrated its shift in stance on the conflict by siding with Russia in votes at the UN. This is a contrast to the previous administration’s position on the war.
Initially, the US and Russia opposed a European-drafted resolution that condemned Moscow’s actions and supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which was passed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Following that, the US-supported resolution at the UN Security Council called for an end to the conflict without criticizing Russia.
Although the Security Council resolution passed, two key US allies, the UK and France, abstained from voting after their attempts to amend the wording were vetoed.
These competing resolutions came forth as French President Emmanuel Macron visited President Donald Trump at the White House to address their differences over the war. On Thursday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to visit the new American leader.
Trump’s administration has disrupted the transatlantic alliance and cultivated a rapport with Moscow, casting doubt on America’s long-term commitment to European security. This rift was evident during the UNGA, where US diplomats pushed for a limited resolution mourning the loss of life during the “Russia-Ukraine conflict” and calling for a swift end.
European diplomats presented a more detailed text, blaming Russia for its full-scale invasion and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa emphasized that the aggression should be condemned and discredited, not rewarded.
UNGA members supported the European resolution with 93 votes, but the US did not abstain and instead voted against it, alongside Russia, Israel, North Korea, Sudan, Belarus, Hungary, and 11 other states, with 65 abstentions.
The UNGA also passed the US resolution after it was amended to include language supporting Ukraine, leading to the US abstaining from the vote.
At the more influential UN Security Council, the unamended US resolution passed with 10 votes, with the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstaining.
America’s acting envoy to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, described the US resolution as a “simple historic statement… that looks forward, not backwards,” focusing on the idea of ending the war.
It is rare for the US to be at such odds with its European allies.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago, the Security Council has been deadlocked due to Russia’s ability, as a permanent member, to veto any resolution. As a result, the UNGA has been the primary forum for discussing the war, but its resolutions are not legally binding for member states, unlike those of the Security Council.
