U.S. Aligns with Russia in U.N. Resolutions on Ukraine Invasion

The U.S. has sided with Russia in U.N. votes marking the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, contrasting with previous support for Ukraine by Western allies. It voted against a European-led resolution condemning Russia and supported a U.S. drafted resolution that lacked criticism of Moscow which led to abstentions from key allies. This change highlights a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and complicates transatlantic relations.

In a significant shift, the United States has sided with Russia during United Nations votes commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. and Russia voted against a European-led resolution condemning Moscow and supporting Ukrainian territorial integrity, despite the resolution receiving majority backing in the General Assembly. Subsequently, the U.S. endorsed a resolution aimed at ceasing hostilities, which notably did not criticize Russia.

The Security Council resolution passed amid abstentions from essential U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom and France, who had sought to amend the resolution’s language but were unsuccessful. The contrasting resolutions emerged during discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump at the White House. This divergence in votes has brought to light the strained transatlantic relationships amidst the shifting U.S. stance.

While the European resolution received overwhelming support, the U.S. unexpectedly voted against it, aligning with nations including Russia and North Korea. The U.N. General Assembly subsequently adopted the U.S. resolution after amendments were made to express support for Ukraine, resulting in the U.S. only abstaining. As per the most influential Security Council vote, the unamended resolution secured approval with significant abstentions from several European allies.

Dorothy Camille Shea, the acting U.S. envoy to the U.N., characterized the American resolution as a forward-looking declaration aimed solely at ending the conflict. Since the onset of the invasion, U.N. Security Council resolutions have been hampered by Russia’s veto power, causing the General Assembly to become the primary platform for discussions on the issue, even though its resolutions lack the binding authority of the Security Council’s decisions.

The recent U.N. votes illustrate a notable realignment of U.S. foreign policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, favoring Moscow over traditional allies in Europe. This shift raises concerns about the future of the transatlantic alliance and underscores the complexities of international diplomacy surrounding the ongoing war. The adoption of competing resolutions further demonstrates the challenges faced in achieving a unified international response to the situation in Ukraine.

Original Source: www.bbc.com