U.S. Aligns with Russia in UN Votes Amid Shift in Ukraine Policy
In a significant shift in its stance on the Ukraine war, the United States sided with Russia twice at the United Nations last night, avoiding any direct condemnation of Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor.The votes marked a major turning point at the UN, where Washington had previously backed Ukraine and supported resolutions condemning Russia. However, the growing rift between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has led to a change in the U.S. position on the war.
U.S. and Russia Vote in Alignment at UN
Washington and Moscow found themselves on the same side in two key votes—one at the General Assembly in the morning and another at the Security Council in the afternoon.At the General Assembly, a European-backed resolution emphasizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity and strongly condemning Russia passed with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions.
The United States voted against the resolution, aligning itself with Russia and its allies, including Belarus, North Korea, and Sudan. This marks a sharp break from past U.S. support for Ukraine-focused resolutions.
The resolution also saw a decline in support compared to previous votes on the conflict, reflecting shifting global dynamics.
Divisions Over U.S.-Drafted Resolution
In response, the U.S. had drafted an alternative resolution amid rising tensions between Trump and Zelensky. However, Ukraine’s European allies demanded modifications, specifically including language that directly blamed Russia for the "full-scale invasion".As a result, Washington ultimately chose not to vote in favor of its own resolution.
Security Council Vote Sees France and Britain Abstain
Later in the day, the U.S. put forward its original, unmodified resolution at the Security Council, where it passed with 10 votes in favor and five abstentions.Notably, France, Britain, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstained, rather than vetoing the measure. The resolution only called for a swift end to the conflict without directly attributing blame to Russia.
Following the vote, Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzya acknowledged the shift in Washington’s stance, stating:
The developments at the United Nations underscore the widening gap between Washington and Kyiv, as well as the shifting power dynamics on the global stage regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
