The United States recently sided with Russia in UN votes commemorating the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. This included opposing a European resolution condemning Russia and supporting a US-drafted resolution that did not criticize Russia. Key allies abstained from the US resolution, highlighting growing tensions in transatlantic relations and concerns over the US’s commitment to European security.
The United States has deviated from its previous stance regarding the invasion of Ukraine, aligning with Russia in two recent UN votes that marked the third anniversary of the conflict. Initially, the US and Russia opposed a European-sponsored resolution condemning the aggression towards Ukraine and supporting its territorial integrity, which was eventually approved by the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Subsequently, both countries endorsed a US-drafted resolution at the UN Security Council that called for an end to the hostilities but failed to criticize Russia’s actions.
The US-backed Security Council resolution was passed but faced abstentions from key allies, including the United Kingdom and France, who sought amendments that were ultimately vetoed. The competing resolutions emerged as French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with President Donald Trump at the White House, aimed at reconciling their differences on the war. The US’s current approach has raised significant questions regarding its dedication to European security, unsettling the traditional transatlantic alliance.
During the recent discussions at the UNGA, American representatives supported a limited resolution that mourned lives lost in the conflict without ascribing blame. In contrast, a more detailed European resolution unequivocally condemned Russia’s invasion and underscored Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa articulated, “We need to reconfirm that the aggression should be condemned and discredited, not rewarded,” emphasizing the need for a clear stance against Russia’s actions.
The opposition from the US, which voted against the European resolution alongside Russia and other states, was particularly striking, given the support it received from 93 members. The US resolution also passed after receiving amendments, leading to an abstention from the US, while the unamended version gained majority support in the Security Council despite abstentions from several European allies. America’s acting envoy to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, characterized the resolution as a forward-looking initiative focused on ceasing the conflict.
The discord between the US and its European allies highlights the challenges in addressing the war effectively, constrained by Russia’s veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council. Although the Security Council has been paralyzed over the issue, the UNGA has remained a vital forum for discussing the war, although its resolutions lack the binding nature of those passed in the Security Council.
In summary, recent actions by the United States at the United Nations illustrate a significant shift in its diplomatic approach regarding the Ukraine conflict. Aligning with Russia against European initiatives raises critical concerns about the future of transatlantic relations and America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. The ongoing deadlock caused by Russia’s veto power signifies the complexities facing international efforts to resolve the war.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
