In a surprising turn of events, the United States voted against a European-drafted resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, which condemned Moscow's actions in Ukraine and supported Ukraine's territorial integrity. This decision coincided with the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting a significant shift in the US's stance on the conflict. The resolution received backing from 93 countries, while the US, alongside Russia, Israel, North Korea, Sudan, Belarus, Hungary, and 11 other states, opposed it. Additionally, 65 countries abstained from voting.
The US has sided with Russia on two occasions at the United Nations concerning votes related to Ukraine. At the UN Security Council, the US introduced a resolution calling for an end to the conflict but notably omitted any direct criticism of Russia. This resolution passed with 10 votes, while key US allies such as the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia chose to abstain. Dorothy Camille Shea, America's acting envoy to the UN, described the US resolution as a "simple historic statement… that looks forward, not backwards."
The Security Council has faced a deadlock due to Russia's veto power since its invasion of Ukraine three years ago. European diplomats had proposed a more comprehensive text that explicitly blamed Russia for its full-scale invasion and affirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US's recent actions have raised concerns among its European allies, casting doubt on America's long-term commitment to European security.
Amendments were made to the US resolution at the UN General Assembly, adding language in support of Ukraine, which ultimately led to the US abstaining from voting. This decision has further strained relations between the US and its European allies regarding the approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa emphasized the importance of condemning aggression rather than rewarding it. She stated, "We need to reconfirm that the aggression should be condemned and discredited, not rewarded." Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Curtis expressed his deep concern over the vote, stating that it aligned the US with Russia and North Korea.
"These are not our friends. This posture is a dramatic shift from American ideals of freedom and democracy" – Republican Senator John Curtis
Former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized the US's stance on the war, describing it as contrary to America's long-standing support for democracy.
"Contrary to our long-standing support of democracy" – former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Ukraine's former minister of economy, Tymofiy Mylovanov, highlighted that this situation is now beyond mere rhetoric or political theatre.
"This is no longer just rhetoric or political theatre" – Ukraine's former minister of economy, Tymofiy Mylovanov
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