In a major diplomatic shift, the United States on Monday sided with Russia on a UN General Assembly draft resolution calling for de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This move comes as relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continue to deteriorate.
UN General Assembly Vote on Ukraine Conflict
The 193-member UN General Assembly voted on the resolution, titled Advancing a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine, which was introduced by Ukraine and its European allies. The resolution was adopted with 93 votes in favor, while 65 nations abstained and 18 voted against it.
Among the countries backing Russia were Belarus, North Korea, and Sudan, reaffirming their alliance with Moscow. Meanwhile, India abstained, maintaining its neutral stance while continuing to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”; calls for deescalation, early cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine
RESULT
In favor: 93
Against: 18
Abstain: 65 pic.twitter.com/VhQ5Y1W2il— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) February 24, 2025
The resolution strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for de-escalation, emphasizing the need for an early cessation of hostilities. It also highlighted the humanitarian crisis and the suffering of civilians, urging adherence to international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
US Also Backs Russia in Security Council Vote
Following the General Assembly vote, the US further solidified its changing stance by backing Russia in a subsequent vote at the UN Security Council, signaling a significant policy shift from its previous support for Kyiv.
This diplomatic pivot follows escalating tensions between the US and Ukraine after Donald Trump’s return to the White House last month. In a recent statement, Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator” and questioned his popularity in Ukraine. He also urged Kyiv to “move fast” in negotiating an end to the war, a remark that came just a day after high-level US-Russia talks took place in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s involvement.
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Trump has described the Russia-Ukraine war as “senseless” and stressed that it should never have occurred. Speaking after the talks in Saudi Arabia, he remarked, “Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the barbarianism that’s going on over there. Soldiers are being killed by the thousands on a weekly basis. Apart from Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, a lot of Koreans have been killed.”
Billions in Military Aid to Ukraine
Since the war began on February 24, 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $60 billion in military aid. However, Trump’s administration has shown reluctance to continue extensive financial support for Kyiv.
In December, Zelenskyy reported that approximately 43,000 Ukrainian troops and 198,000 Russian soldiers had been killed since the invasion began. Meanwhile, UN estimates suggest that around 12,500 civilians have lost their lives in Ukraine.
Impact of US Policy Shift
The US aligning with Russia in these crucial UN votes signals a dramatic foreign policy shift under the Trump administration. This change could have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, NATO allies, and the overall geopolitical landscape. As the war enters its third year, Kyiv may need to reassess its diplomatic strategies while continuing its resistance against Moscow’s military aggression.
