The U.S. voted against a resolution condemning Russia as the aggressor in the war in Ukraine that passed the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, marking three years since Russia’s launched its full-scale invasion of the country.
The resolution is an expression of the body, and not a binding action, but signals weakening U.S. political support for Ukraine under the Trump administration, in favor of improved relations with Russia.
Trump in recent days has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, which started when Moscow initiated a full-scale invasion into the neighboring country on Feb. 24, 2023.
Trump has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” while his top diplomats over the weekend refused to cast blame at Putin, a stance that has also sewed a growing rift with traditionally hawkish Republicans, when it comes to Moscow’s international aggression.
The resolution, titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” passed the General assembly with a vote of 93 in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstaining.
The text of the resolution calls for de-escalation, early cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine.
Among those countries that also rejected the resolution along with the U.S. were Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a close ally to President Trump, Israel and Russia.
The U.S. is proposing a competing resolution.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. resolution is “consistent with President Trump’s view” that the U.N. must return to its “founding purpose… to maintain international peace and security, including through the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
