US Joins Russia in Opposing UN Resolution Condemning Ukraine Invasion, Signaling Sharp Policy Shift
In a dramatic departure from long-standing U.S. foreign policy, the United States voted alongside Russia against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The vote, which took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale attack, has left European allies stunned and marks a significant realignment under the Trump administration.
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The resolution, backed by Ukraine and European nations, called for Russia to immediately withdraw its forces and reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was adopted with 93 votes in favor. However, the U.S. not only voted against the measure but also introduced its own alternative resolution, which conspicuously omitted any direct condemnation of Russia and made no mention of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
A Departure from Established U.S. Policy
For the past three years, Washington had consistently supported measures condemning Russian aggression, providing military aid to Kyiv, and reinforcing NATO’s stance against Moscow’s expansionism. However, under President Donald Trump’s administration, U.S. policy has taken a turn. The administration has engaged in direct discussions with the Kremlin about ending the war, sidelining Ukraine and alarming European allies who fear a betrayal of the international rules-based order.
The U.S.-led resolution, which ultimately failed at the General Assembly but passed in the Security Council with 10 votes in favor, focused on a vague call for “an end to the conflict” without assigning blame to Russia. The resolution, supported by Moscow, was seen by European diplomats as a weak attempt to legitimize Trump’s diplomatic overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European Outrage and Strong Reactions
Diplomats from the United Kingdom and France sharply criticized the U.S. move. French Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Rivière warned, “There will be no peace and security anywhere if aggressions are rewarded, and if the law of the jungle wins.”
British Ambassador Barbara Woodward emphasized that equating Ukraine and Russia in peace negotiations was unacceptable. “Only a just peace, one that honors the terms of our charter, will endure,” she said. “If we are to find a path to sustainable peace, the Council must be clear on the war’s origins.”
Ukraine, having borne the brunt of Russia’s invasion, was notably absent from negotiations over the U.S.-backed resolution, raising concerns about whether Washington’s new diplomatic strategy would prioritize Moscow’s interests over Kyiv’s sovereignty.
A Win for Russia?
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya praised the American-backed resolution as a “first attempt to have a constructive and future-oriented product” that shifts the focus from condemning Moscow to pursuing a negotiated peace. The shift signals a major victory for the Kremlin, which has sought to erode international unity against its invasion.
While U.S. Charge d’Affaires Dorothy Shea defended the resolution as a step toward peace, European officials and analysts argue that it risks undermining Ukraine’s position in any future negotiations.
The Road Ahead
With the U.S. aligning itself more closely with Russia on Ukraine, European nations face a stark reality: they may have to take on greater leadership in supporting Ukraine’s defense and resisting Moscow’s ambitions. As NATO leaders scramble to reassess their strategy, the question remains—will Trump’s pivot to Russia lead to a diplomatic breakthrough, or will it embolden further aggression?
The fallout from this vote could reshape global alliances for years to come, leaving Ukraine’s fate hanging in the balance.
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US Joins Russia in Opposing UN Resolution Condemning Ukraine Invasion, Signaling Sharp Policy Shift