U.S. Aligns with Russia, Votes Against UN Resolution Condemning Ukraine War

United Nations, New York – In a striking departure from its longstanding policy, the United States voted alongside Russia against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine on Monday, February 24, 2025. The vote, coinciding with the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, highlighted a growing rift between the U.S. and its European allies, as well as a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to the conflict.

The Ukrainian and European-backed resolution, adopted with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions, expressed deep concern over “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation,” noting its “devastating and long-lasting consequences” for Ukraine and global stability. It called for “a de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine,” reaffirming the UN’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The U.S., however, opposed this resolution, aligning itself with Russia, North Korea, Belarus, and a handful of other nations, a move that stunned observers given its historical support for Ukraine.

This shift comes amid the Trump administration’s pursuit of direct talks with Moscow to end the war, a strategy that has strained relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” and urging him to negotiate swiftly with Russia. In contrast, the U.S. introduced a rival resolution at the General Assembly, which avoided naming Russia as the aggressor or acknowledging Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This draft instead mourned “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and urged “a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia,” emphasizing the UN’s core mission of maintaining international peace.

Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the U.S. Charge d’Affaires at the UN, defended this approach prior to the vote. “A simple, historic statement from the General Assembly that looks forward, not backwards. A resolution focused on one simple idea: ending the war,” she said, urging all member states, including Ukraine and Russia, to support it. Shea argued that previous resolutions condemning Russia had failed to halt the conflict, justifying the U.S. opposition to Ukraine’s proposal. “That is why we cannot support Ukraine’s resolution, and we urge its withdrawal in favor of a strong statement committing us to end the war and work towards lasting peace,” she added.

The U.S. resolution faced amendments from European nations, which sought to strengthen its language by explicitly citing Russia’s “full-scale invasion” and reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. These amendments passed, prompting the U.S. to abstain from voting on its own revised draft, which still garnered 93 votes in favor but with 73 abstentions and 8 against. Russia voted no, while Ukraine supported the amended version. Later Monday, the U.S. planned to present its original, unamended resolution to the UN Security Council, where, as a permanent member with veto power, it could block alterations—a move signaling its determination to steer the narrative toward a neutral peace process.

The dual votes underscored a deepening transatlantic divide, with European leaders expressing dismay at being sidelined in the Trump administration’s outreach to Russia. While General Assembly resolutions lack legal force, they reflect global sentiment, and the U.S.’s alignment with Russia marked a significant policy pivot. As the Security Council prepared to take up the U.S. draft, the international community watched closely, weighing the implications of this shift for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the broader pursuit of peace in the region.