United States sides with Russia on Ukraine war resolution votes

The United States on Monday voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine and abstained from voting on a resolution that characterized the ongoing war as a Russian invasion. The first resolution, brought up by Ukraine, called for other countries to respect its territorial integrity. It passed 93-18, without U.S. support.

The United States brought up the second resolution, a very brief document that expressed mourning for loss of life on both sides and urged a swift end to the conflict. Both Russia and the European Union proposed amendments, with the EU proposing the addition of some phrases from the Ukraine-authored resolution. The United States voted against the European amendments. When other member states voted to add them, the United States abstained from voting on its own resolution, which passed 93-8.

Did the United States join Russia in other votes? Later on Monday, the 15-member United Nations Security Council adopted the same U.S. resolution on the war in Ukraine without amendments. Russia voted in favor, and its ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, called the resolution a step in the right direction.

What did Ukraine say about the shift in U.S. policy? Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa didn’t directly address the United States, but she said a peace deal should not reward aggression and doing so would create a dangerous precedent. She added that Ukraine has a good relationship with the United States.

Dig deeper: Read William Fleeson’s report on Ukrainians’ fears for the future.