At the United Nations, a significant rift emerged in transatlantic relations when the United States, under President Donald Trump, diverged from its European allies by not blaming Russia for its incursion into Ukraine. This divide was evident during votes on three U.N. resolutions aiming to end the ongoing three-year conflict. The schism follows Trump’s initiative to engage directly with Russia in efforts to resolve the war, a move that disappointed Ukraine and its European backers by excluding them from preliminary discussions held the previous week.
In a surprising stance at the U.N. General Assembly, the U.S. aligned with Russia in voting against a Ukrainian resolution supported by Europe. This resolution explicitly condemned Moscow’s aggression and called for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces. Simultaneously, the U.S. chose to abstain from voting on its own resolution after Europeans led by France introduced amendments identifying Russia as the aggressor. The voting took place as Trump was hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
This decision represented a notable setback for the Trump administration within the 193-member world body, where resolutions, although not legally binding, are considered reflective of global opinion. Furthermore, the U.S. attempted to push its original draft in the U.N. Security Council, where outcomes are legally binding and the U.S. holds veto power alongside Russia, China, Britain, and France. In the Security Council, the resolution saw a vote of 10 in favor to none against, with five European nations abstaining, namely Britain, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia.
Tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine also came to the forefront. Using harsh rhetoric, Trump labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not conducting elections during wartime, while a significant portion of Ukraine remains under Russian control, with soldiers engaged at the frontline and martial law in effect. Trump has further falsely accused Kyiv of initiating the conflict and cautioned Zelenskyy to expedite peace negotiations or risk losing his nation. Zelenskyy retorted, claiming Trump was residing within a “disinformation space” crafted by Russia.
The diplomatic whirlwind saw Trump’s meeting with Macron precede an anticipated visit from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as they were vital allies of the U.S. on Ukraine until recently. However, they now find themselves at odds regarding the U.N.’s optimal strategy to achieve a resolution to the war.
The General Assembly passed the Ukrainian resolution with a vote of 93 in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions. This vote reflected a dip in support for Ukraine, as earlier assembly votes had seen over 140 nations decry Russia’s aggression and insist on the immediate withdrawal of its forces. Following this, the assembly deliberated over the U.S.-proposed resolution, which recognized the tragic loss of life in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and called for a rapid end to hostilities and lasting peace, yet did not specifically highlight Moscow’s aggression.
In a surprising turn, France proposed amendments that identified the conflict as stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These amendments reiterated the assembly’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, advocating for peace aligned with the U.N. Charter. Russia countered with an amendment urging a focus on the conflict’s “root causes.”
All amendments received approval, with the amended resolution passing by a vote of 93-8 with 73 abstentions. Ukraine voted in favor, the U.S. abstained, and Russia voted against. U.S. allies in Asia like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, along with neighbors Canada and Mexico and several European countries, except Hungary, supported the resolutions.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa asserted her country’s right to defend itself following Russia’s invasion, which contravenes the U.N. Charter’s requirement for nations to respect each other’s sovereignty. She urged nations to uphold principles of sovereignty and humanity, emphasizing “peace through strength.”
Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward cautioned the council, asserting that a Russian victory would signal a world where force prevails, leading to borders being redrawn with impunity. Denmark’s Lotte Machon underscored the necessity of including Ukraine in negotiations and respecting European security concerns.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea noted that while previous U.N. resolutions condemning Russia demand Russian troop withdrawal, they haven’t succeeded in halting the war. She emphasized the need for a resolution that reflects all U.N. member states’ commitment to ending the conflict sustainably.
Within the Security Council, Russia utilized its veto to block European amendments to the U.S. resolution, which remains legally binding but largely ineffective. Though toothless, it signifies an imperative first step towards peace, as Shea noted.
The General Assembly has emerged as a pivotal U.N. body regarding Ukraine since the Security Council’s effectiveness is hindered by Russia’s veto power. It has passed several resolutions since Russian troops invaded on February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian resolution adopted reiterates earlier demands for Russia to retract its military forces unconditionally from Ukraine and reaffirms Ukraine’s sovereignty and the rejection of territorial gains through force. It calls for a swift reduction in hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war within the year.
