The U.S. just flipped the script on Ukraine at the UN, and allies aren’t thrilled. In back-to-back votes marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Trump administration aligned with Moscow, shaking up diplomatic norms and raising eyebrows worldwide.
Here’s the deal:
- Vote 1: At the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the U.S. rejected a European-backed resolution condemning Russia and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. Alongside Russia, Israel, North Korea, Belarus, and Hungary, the U.S. stood firm in opposition, breaking from its long-standing stance.
- Vote 2: At the UN Security Council, the U.S. pushed its own resolution calling for an end to the war, without criticizing Russia. The UK and France, two key U.S. allies, abstained in protest. The watered-down resolution passed, but not without fractures in Western unity.
What’s Behind Trump’s Shift?
Trump’s cozy approach with Moscow isn’t new, but doubling down at the UN in a resolution is a clear signal. His administration argues that calling out Russia doesn’t help end the war. Instead, the focus is on pushing for negotiations, without pointing fingers. Acting UN envoy Dorothy Camille Shea called the U.S. resolution a “historic statement” focused on “ending the war.”
But critics aren’t buying it. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa stressed that “aggression should be condemned and discredited, not rewarded.” European leaders see the move as undermining Ukraine just as the war enters its fourth year.
The Fallout: Europe and NATO on Edge
This vote exposed growing cracks in the Western alliance:
- UK and France Abstain: By sitting out the Security Council vote, America’s closest allies signaled their frustration with Trump’s softer stance on Russia.
- NATO Unity Questioned: With Trump already questioning NATO’s role, this latest shift fuels doubts about U.S. commitment to European security.
- Ukraine’s Uphill Battle: Without full-throated support from the U.S., Ukraine faces an even tougher fight, both militarily and diplomatically.
What’s Next?
French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the White House aimed to smooth things over, but with limited success. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is next in line to meet Trump, hoping to bridge the widening gap.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is left wondering how much support it can count on from Washington moving forward. Trump’s shift could reshape not just the war’s trajectory, but the entire global balance of power.
By siding with Russia at the UN, Trump’s resolution has thrown a diplomatic curveball, leaving allies scrambling and Ukraine bracing for what comes next.
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