The U.S. has sided with Russia in UN resolutions concerning the Ukraine invasion, marking a shift in policy. The U.S. opposed a European resolution condemning Russia while supporting a U.S.-drafted resolution with no censure towards Moscow. This has highlighted divisions between the U.S. and its European allies on the ongoing conflict, particularly as both regions navigate complex geopolitical relationships.
The United States has recently aligned with Russia in two significant votes at the United Nations, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and signaling a notable shift in the U.S. stance under the Trump administration. Initially, both the U.S. and Russia opposed a European-drafted resolution condemning Moscow’s actions and affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which ultimately passed in the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Subsequently, they supported a U.S.-drafted resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an end to the conflict, remarkably omitting any condemnation of Russia.
This Security Council resolution gained approval, though two crucial U.S. allies, the United Kingdom and France, abstained after their proposed amendments were vetoed. These conflicting resolutions emerged during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to President Trump, highlighting the ongoing discord regarding the war. On a similar note, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also set to meet the new American leader.
Trump’s administration has reportedly disrupted the transatlantic alliance, exhibiting a preference for Moscow and raising questions about America’s long-term commitment to European security. This rift became evident in the UNGA, where U.S. diplomats advocated for a limited resolution expressing sorrow over the loss of life in the “Russia-Ukraine conflict” and urging a swift resolution, in contrast to a more comprehensive European draft that attributed blame to Russia.
Despite the European resolution receiving 93 votes in favor, the U.S. astonishingly voted against it, joining Russia and several other states, while 65 members abstained. The U.S. resolution eventually passed but only after an amendment supporting Ukraine was added, which led to U.S. abstention. In the more influential UN Security Council, where the unamended U.S. resolution was passed with 10 votes, the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia chose to abstain.
Dorothy Camille Shea, the acting U.S. envoy to the UN, characterized the U.S. resolution as a “simple historic statement… that looks forward, not backwards” and aims strictly at ending the war. The current disparities between the U.S. and its European allies over the ongoing war are unprecedented. The UN Security Council has faced gridlock due to Russia’s ability to veto resolutions since the invasion began three years ago, leaving the UNGA as the primary forum for discussions, despite the non-binding nature of its resolutions.
The recent alignment of the United States with Russia in UN votes regarding Ukraine raises significant concerns about the future of transatlantic relations and America’s commitment to European security. The divergence between the U.S. and its traditional allies has been stark, particularly in their approaches to the Ukrainian conflict. This moment underscores the challenges that the UN faces in addressing the war due to the conflicting interests of its permanent members.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
