Us Votes Against Un Resolution Condemning Russia For Ukraine War

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. 

Among the 17 countries that joined the U.S. in opposition to the non-binding measure were Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Israel and Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a close ally to President Trump. China abstained along with 64 other countries.

Ukraine's European allies were unanimously in support. 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, 2022.

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. 

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.”

Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting head of the U.S. mission to the UN, said in remarks before the vote that the language included in Ukraine's resolution mirrors previous resolutions, which "have failed to stop the war."

" It has now dragged on for far too long, and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine, in Russia, and beyond," Shea said. 

Shea, a Biden appointee, said the competing, U.S. resolution implores a swift end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

"This is what is needed now, and we urge all Member States, including Ukraine and Russia, to join us in this effort.  A simple, historic statement from the General Assembly that looks forward, not backwards. A resolution focused on one, simple idea: Ending the war. A path to peace is possible."

The confirmation of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Trump's nominee for ambassador to the UN, is delayed over a hold by Senate Democrats, exercising opposition to the president's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development and other disruptive moves in the federal government.  

Updated: 1:18 p.m.