US Aligns with Russia in UN Votes on Ukraine Conflict
The United States has sided with Russia in recent UN votes concerning the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, marking a shift in policy. They opposed a European resolution condemning Moscow while supporting a US-drafted resolution that lacked criticism of Russia. This development highlights increasing tensions within the transatlantic alliance regarding European security.
The United States has recently aligned itself with Russia in United Nations votes commemorating the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, indicating a significant shift in policy under the Trump administration. Initially, both nations opposed a European-resolved condemnation of Moscow’s actions and affirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, although this resolution garnered passage at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Subsequently, a US-driven resolution was endorsed at the UN Security Council that called for an end to the conflict without criticizing Russia.
The Security Council resolution passed, but two key allied states, the United Kingdom and France, abstained after their proposed amendments were vetoed. These conflicting resolutions surfaced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to American President Donald Trump, seeking to resolve discrepancies regarding the war. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to visit the new American administration soon to address similar concerns.
The Trump administration’s actions have seemingly disrupted the transatlantic alliance, raising questions about the United States’ steadfastness in supporting European security against Russian aggression. This discord was starkly evident during the UNGA meeting when US representatives advocated for a resolution mourning the conflict without attributing blame, while a European proposal expressly condemned Russia’s invasion and upheld Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa underscored the necessity to denounce aggression, stating, “We need to reconfirm that the aggression should be condemned and discredited, not rewarded.”
The UNGA ultimately supported the European resolution by a vote of 93, yet the United States, along with Russia and a few others, chose not only to abstain but voted against it. Conversely, the UNGA validated the US resolution after it was amended to include support for Ukraine, which led to a US abstention. Within the UN Security Council, the original, unamended US resolution secured passage with assurances of support from ten nations, though major allies like the UK and France abstained.
In summary, the United States has notably sided with Russia in key UN resolutions concerning Ukraine’s territorial integrity, reflecting a shift in its foreign policy stance under the Trump administration. This development has caused friction within the transatlantic alliance, raising concerns about the United States’ commitment to European security. The contrasting resolutions presented at the UN underscore the ongoing complexity of geopolitical relations amidst the war in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
