After three years of steadfastly supporting Ukraine, the US made a pointy flip and voted in opposition to a United Nations Basic Meeting (UNGA) decision condemning Russia for its invasion.
The US additionally filed its personal decision on Monday – one which didn’t explicitly blame Russia for the battle and referred to as for an finish to the struggle on impartial phrases.
These strikes replicate the rising divide between the US and Europe, in addition to the shift in Washington’s coverage on Ukraine underneath the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Right here’s what you should know concerning the shift in coverage:
What occurred with the UNGA decision?
The US was considered one of 18 international locations to vote in opposition to the decision titled, “Advancing a complete, simply and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
The decision the US opposed clearly acknowledged that it was Moscow, and not Kyiv, that started this ongoing war in 2022, and referred to as for UNGA members to reaffirm their dedication to Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity”.
It additionally requested members to reaffirm that it’s unlawful for land to be taken by pressure or the specter of pressure and referred to as for either side of the battle to adjust to worldwide regulation and shield civilians, “particularly ladies and youngsters”.
Maybe most importantly, it demanded that Russia instantly withdraw from Ukraine and finish the struggle.
The US, alongside Russia, North Korea, Hungary, Israel and a handful of different international locations, voted in opposition to the decision.
What did the US need as an alternative?
The US proposed its personal decision within the UNGA, titled, “The trail to peace”, calling for an enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine, however with out handing out blame on who began the struggle.
The decision mourned “the tragic lack of life all through the Russian Federation-Ukraine battle.” Moreover, it reiterated that the UN’s function was to take care of worldwide peace and to “peacefully settle disputes”.
However France made amendments to that draft, including references to Moscow’s full-scale invasion and to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This decision was then handed by the UNGA, with 93 votes in favour, 8 in opposition to, and 73 abstentions. The US abstained from voting on this decision.
Nonetheless, the US then pushed the unique draft of the decision to the UN Safety Council (UNSC). It handed by a vote of 10-0 with 5 abstaining – the UK, France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.
UNSC resolutions are legally binding and UNGA resolutions will not be, however replicate and typically affect how the world perceives a battle.
How is that this completely different from what the US has achieved prior to now?
Because the struggle started, the US has voted in favour of six UNGA resolutions that had been much like the 2 handed on Monday.
With the UNSC paralysed by Russia’s capability to veto, the UNGA has turn out to be an necessary physique for resolutions on Ukraine.
Listed below are six earlier UNGA resolutions that handed:
- March 3, 2022 – 141 international locations, together with the US, voted in favour of a decision condemning Russia’s declaration on February 24, 2022, of a “particular navy operation” and reaffirming that territorial acquisition by pressure is unlawful. The decision demanded that Russia stop its use of pressure in opposition to Ukraine and withdraw its troops from the territory. 5 international locations voted in opposition to it.
- March 24, 2022 – the US joined 139 international locations and voted in favour of a decision which reaffirmed its “dedication to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, calling on Russia to withdraw its troops.
- April 2022 – 93 international locations, together with the US, voted in favour of an UNGA decision suspending Russia’s membership within the Human Rights Council.
- October 2022, Washington supported an UNGA decision that gained with 143 condemning the Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory.
- November 2022 – the US voted in favour of an UNGA decision that gained 94-14 calling on Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine, whereas additionally calling on Russia to stop use of pressure and withdraw troops.
- February 23, 2023 – A resolution calling territorial acquisition by pressure unlawful and asking Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine handed by 141-7. Washington voted in favour of this decision.
Just one UNSC decision specializing in Russia’s struggle on Ukraine has handed.
This was on February 27, 2022, calling an emergency special session within the basic meeting over Ukraine. The US voted in favour of this and the emergency particular session met a day later.
In October 2022, the US co-sponsored a UNSC draft resolution condemning “unlawful referendums” performed in Russian-annexed Ukrainian territory. It additionally referred to as for Russia to drag out its troops from Ukraine. This decision failed after it was vetoed by Russia.
What’s the US saying to the world?
US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea has mentioned that a number of UN resolutions prior to now which have referred to as for Russia to withdraw its troops “have didn’t cease the struggle”.
Previous to the vote, Shea mentioned that the struggle has “dragged on for much too lengthy” and harmed each Russia and Ukraine.
“What we’d like is a decision marking the dedication from all UN member states to carry a sturdy finish to the struggle,” mentioned Shea, earlier than the vote. She mentioned that this is step one that “places us on the trail to peace”.
It is a stark distinction to feedback made by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN underneath former President Joe Biden.
“Daily, Ukrainian households reside in concern of Russian struggle crimes; so far, troops have dedicated some 147,000 of them. And each night time, Ukrainian households reside in concern of Russian aerial strikes, which proceed to pound the nation,” Thomas-Greenfield mentioned throughout a UNSC briefing in November 2024.
“It’s clear that Russia has no regard for Ukrainian life. But it surely’s additionally clear that Russia has no regard for Russian life.”
