US’s Unexpected Support for Russia in Recent UN Resolutions on Ukraine

The United States has sided with Russia in UN resolutions marking the third anniversary of the Ukraine invasion, reflecting a change in U.S. policy. The U.S. opposed a European resolution condemning Russia but supported its own resolution focused on ending the war without criticizing Russia. This shift has raised concerns among key U.S. allies regarding the future of transatlantic relations and European security commitments.

In a surprising shift, the United States has sided with Russia in recent United Nations resolutions that mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Initially, the U.S. opposed a European-drafted resolution that condemned Russia’s actions and affirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which the UN General Assembly adopted. Subsequently, the U.S. supported a resolution it drafted, calling for an end to the conflict but notably refraining from criticizing Russia.

The Security Council resolution received approval, yet key U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom and France chose to abstain, following unsuccessful attempts to modify the resolution’s language. These contrasting resolutions coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to former President Donald Trump, aiming to mitigate differences over the war. On the eve of this event, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with the new American leader.

Trump’s administration has altered the transatlantic alliance’s dynamics, appearing to favor Moscow and raising questions concerning the United States’ commitment to European security. This discord became evident during the UN General Assembly session when U.S. diplomats advanced a limited resolution that merely expressed sorrow over the loss of life during the conflict. In contrast, European diplomats offered a more comprehensive text condemning Russia’s invasion and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The European resolution garnered significant support, achieving 93 votes in favor, yet the U.S. surprisingly opposed it, aligning with Russia and other nations. The U.S. resolution passed after amendments supporting Ukraine were included, which then resulted in a U.S. abstention. Within the UN Security Council, the original U.S. resolution was approved by ten votes, while several European nations opted to abstain.

Dorothy Camille Shea, the U.S. acting envoy to the UN, described the U.S. resolution as a straightforward historic statement focused on the goal of ending the war. It is rare for the U.S. to diverge so sharply from its European allies. Since Russia’s invasion, the UN Security Council has faced stagnation due to Russia’s veto power, making the General Assembly essential for discussing the conflict, albeit its resolutions are non-binding unlike those from the Security Council.

In summary, the United States has demonstrated a significant shift in its stance regarding the conflict in Ukraine by aligning with Russia in UN resolutions. This action reflects a departure from traditional U.S. support for Ukraine, raising concerns about the future of transatlantic relations and security commitments in Europe. The contrasting approaches of the U.S. and its allies underscore the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape surrounding the ongoing war.

Original Source: www.bbc.com