US proposes its own UN resolution draft for anniversary of Russia's invasion
UN General Assembly (photo: Getty Images)
The US has proposed its draft resolution to the United Nations on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The document calls for the cessation of the "conflict" and the establishment of lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, according to Reuters.
The short draft resolution from the US was presented on Friday, February 21. According to the agency, it consists of three paragraphs expressing sorrow over the loss of life during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reaffirms that the primary goal of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully resolve disputes.
The resolution also calls for the swift end of the conflict and urges lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia proposed its amendment to the document, which, according to Reuters, reads: "implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, called the US draft resolution a good step. On the condition of anonymity, the Russian diplomat stated that if the Russian amendment is adopted by the General Assembly, Moscow would vote in favor of the US resolution.
Nebenzya mentioned that US representatives had informed him before the draft was distributed to the 193 members of the General Assembly.
EU ambassadors at the UN are planning to meet later on Friday (New York time) to discuss this move by the US.
Resolution of Ukraine and the EU
The US resolution contrasts with the efforts of Kyiv and its European allies, who have proposed their draft resolution, with a vote scheduled for Monday, February 24, during the General Assembly session.
On Monday, February 17, a resolution drafted by Ukraine and the European Union was introduced to the General Assembly. It calls for de-escalation, an immediate cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful settlement under the UN Charter and international law.
In the text proposed by Ukraine and the EU, reiterates the urgent need to end the war this year, and to redouble diplomatic efforts to reduce the risks of further escalation and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian and European text emphasizes the need to implement previous UN resolutions that called for Russia to withdraw its troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territory and insisted that Moscow halt hostilities.
Ukraine and the EU have been in discussions with UN member countries over the past month. While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry political weight, reflecting the global perspective on the war. No country holds veto power in the Assembly.
In the first year of the war, the General Assembly passed six resolutions regarding the conflict, condemning Moscow and demanding that it withdraw all its forces from Ukraine.
The most widely supported resolution was in October 2022, which condemned Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine. That document was supported by 143 countries.
Antagonistic position of the US
It is important to note that initially, the US refused to co-sponsor the resolution marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Later, American representatives stated that they had not yet decided whether they would support the version of the resolution proposed by Ukraine and the EU.
The behavior of the US delegation at the UN is linked to former President Donald Trump's efforts to quickly end the war without the participation of President Zelenskyy and representatives of EU countries in peace talks.
