The U.S. opposed a United Nations resolution on Monday demanding that Russian forces “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw” from Ukrainian territories, as the Trump administration continues negotiating with both warring countries to end the ongoing conflict.
The vote marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. was one of 18 nations to vote against the Ukraine-backed peace resolution, which condemns Russia for starting the war on February 24, 2022, further signaling that the Trump administration is backing away from the previous administration’s unequivocal support for Ukraine. Russia, North Korea, Israel, and Hungary joined the U.S. in opposition.
The three-page resolution ultimately passed after 93 member states, including those belonging to the European Union, approved the measure. Meanwhile, China and Iran were among 65 member states that abstained from voting.
The document primarily calls for “de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine,” the text reads.
In recent days, President Donald Trump has traded verbal jabs with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who felt cheated after U.S. diplomats first discussed peace negotiations with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. Also excluded from early peace talks, EU leaders held an emergency summit last week to discuss Ukraine. European nations will discuss the conflict again at another summit on March 6.
Trump claimed Ukraine was to blame for the start of the war, likening Zelensky to a “dictator” who was responsible for the prolonged conflict. Trump later conceded that Russia attacked Ukraine.
Although Zelensky was kept out of initial peace talks, the Trump administration is actively conversing with Ukraine over a deal that incentivizes the U.S. to provide security guarantees for Kyiv in exchange for 50 percent of the embattled nation’s rare earth minerals. Zelensky initially rejected the offer, but the deal may be closed soon.
Trump said he will be meeting with Zelensky in the coming days at the White House, where the Ukrainian leader will potentially sign the agreement.
Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine to work toward ending the war. Three years to the date after the Russian invasion, Trump noted Putin is “not looking for more war.”
The president’s remarks on Zelensky and Putin came during French President Emmanuel Macron’s Monday visit to the White House.
While opposing Ukraine’s resolution, the U.S. proposed a shorter competing resolution that calls for a “swift end to the conflict” without blaming Russian aggression.
Acting U.N. ambassador Dorothy Shea spoke in support of the rival resolution, noting the Ukraine-backed resolution is similar to previous resolutions that “have failed to stop the war” under the Biden administration.
“This is what is needed now, and we urge all Member States, including Ukraine and Russia, to join us in this effort,” Shea said on Monday. “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.”
European countries proposed amendments to the U.S. resolution that explicitly mentioned Russia’s culpability and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The amendments were adopted with the support of 93 member states. Notably, the U.S. abstained from voting on its amended draft resolution.
When asked why the U.S. voted against Ukraine’s resolution, Trump said, “I would rather not explain it now, but it’s sort of self evident I think.”