The United States has aligned with Russia, Israel, Belarus, and North Korea in declining to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for the illegal invasion of Ukraine.
On the third anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, both Kyiv and Washington presented rival resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly calling for an end to the war.
Ukraine’s Resolution Gains Majority Support
Kyiv’s three-page resolution demanded that Russia withdraw its forces immediately and be held accountable for war crimes.
The resolution secured 93 votes in favour, with every European Union country—except Hungary—supporting the motion.
However, 18 nations, including the US, Russia, and North Korea, voted against it, while 64 countries, including China, abstained.
US Forced to Abstain on Its Own Proposal
Following the vote, the US submitted a counter-resolution, calling for an end to the three-year-long war while refusing to label Russia as the aggressor. However, European nations later amended the US proposal to include language condemning Russia and reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
As a result, the US was forced to abstain from its own resolution. The revised US-drafted motion still secured 93 votes in favor, while 73 abstained and eight opposed it.
Meanwhile, a Russian attempt to amend the resolution by referencing the “root causes” of the war failed.
Ukraine Responds: ‘This War Has Never Been About Ukraine Only’
Before the vote, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Betsa Mariana, told the assembly:
“This war has never been about Ukraine only. It is about a fundamental right of any country to exist, to choose its own path, and to live free from aggression.”
Trump Attacks Zelensky, Calls Him a ‘Dictator’
The development at the UN comes amid escalating rhetoric from Donald Trump, who recently launched a scathing personal attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump branded Zelensky a ‘dictator’ and falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war.
In an ominous warning, Trump told Zelensky he ‘better move fast’ to negotiate peace or risk not having a country left to govern. Zelensky responded, saying Trump was living in a “Russian-made disinformation space.”
Later, Trump softened his stance, acknowledging that “Russia attacked” but insisting that Ukraine “shouldn’t have let him attack”, while also continuing to call for Zelensky to step down.
UN Security Council Set for Crucial Vote
The 15-member UN Security Council is set to vote on the US resolution later on Monday. For the resolution to pass, it requires at least nine votes in favor with no vetoes from the US, Russia, China, Britain, or France.
European council members are expected to propose the same amendments that were included in the General Assembly vote. However, a US State Department official stated that Washington is prepared to veto any amendments.
Macron, Trump Discuss European Peacekeepers in Ukraine
Speaking after the UN vote, Donald Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal.
During a joint press conference at the White House, Macron said Europe is prepared to deploy peacekeepers as part of its security guarantees following a ceasefire.
Trump backed the idea, saying:
“Yeah, he will accept it. I have asked him that question. Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for world war.”
He further claimed that the war could end “within weeks, if we’re smart”, warning that escalation could lead to World War III.
Macron Warns Trump Against ‘Weakness’ Toward Putin
Ahead of their meeting, Macron stressed that it was in the joint interest of the US and Europe not to show weakness in dealing with Putin.
“You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest,” Macron said.
“How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”
UK’s Starmer Open to British Troops in Ukraine
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signaled a willingness to deploy British troops as part of security guarantees to help end the war.
He has also called for a US ‘backstop’ to ensure any peace agreement is enforced, ahead of his trip to Washington later this week.
