In a major shift from its longstanding foreign policy, the US sided with Russia and voted against a United Nations resolution baked by Europe. This resolution demanded Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine and criticised the war. It is the first time the US and Russia have voted in alignment since the start of the Ukraine-Russia war.
The UN General Assembly intensely approved the resolution, with 93 votes in favour. A total of 18 votes were against the resolution, and 65 abstentions were recorded. Several countries, including India, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Iran abstained from voting.
This resolution in the UN General Assembly comes on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the war is a grave threat to Europe and the United Nations.
The UN resolution said, “With concern, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has persisted for three years and continues to have devastating and long-lasting consequences not only for Ukraine but also for other regions and the global stability.” It called for a de-escalation, an early cessation of hospitalities, and a peaceful resolution of the war.
The US also tabled a short rival resolution that mourned the lost lives throughout the conflict. This resolution was adopted with 93 votes in favour, 8 against, and 73 abstentions.
