UN General Assembly adopts competing resolutions to end Ukraine war News
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UN General Assembly adopts competing resolutions to end Ukraine war

The UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions concerning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Monday, the third anniversary of Moscow’s “special military operation.” The two resolutions, proposed by Ukraine and the US, both called for the maintenance of international peace and security. Nonetheless, the United States’ draft described the invasion as a “conflict,” marking a significant departure from its previous position.

Ukraine and 52 other countries tabled their resolution, titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” on February 18. The resolution condemned Russian military actions, describing the aggression as causing “dire human rights and humanitarian consequences,” by attacking civilians and civilian objects, including critical energy infrastructure. The resolution urged Russia to withdraw all its military forces from Ukraine, exchange prisoners of war and release unlawfully detained persons, and adhere to international human rights law and humanitarian law.

The UNGA adopted Ukraine’s resolution, with 93 member states voting in favor, 18 voting against the resolution and 65 abstentions. Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Besta said the resolution represents the UNGA’s demand for “an early end to this war of aggression and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine.”

The US voted against Ukraine’s motion and proposed another resolution, “The path to peace.” This resolution reiterated the UN principle to maintain international peace and security through the peaceful settlement of disputes. However, the resolution described the invasion as “the Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict.” Proposing the resolution, US Ambassador Dorothy Shea claimed that Ukraine’s resolution did not adhere to UN principles, and called for its withdrawal.

The UNGA and the Security Council also adopted this resolution with the EU’s amendment, mentioning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The amendment passed, with the US voting against the amendment and then abstainig from its own resolution.

This marked a significant departure from the previous US stance. The US has previously supported similar resolutions affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and demanding Russia withdraw its military forces from Ukraine. The change comes after US President Donald Trump negotiated bilaterally with Russia and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.”  US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) deplored the change, stating: “This vote is a disgrace. Trump’s senseless betrayal of the alliances that have kept Americans safe since World War II and his fealty to the murderous aggressor Putin are a national security threat.”

On the same day, the founding Chief Prosecutor of the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone David Crane urged the international community to remain committed to supporting Ukraine and preserving the rule-based international order. Relatedly, the UK also expanded its sanctions against Russia.

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