US, Ukraine clash over rival UN resolutions on war anniversary

The United States has urged Ukraine to withdraw its European-backed U.N. resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces, pushing instead for an American proposal that omits mention of Moscow’s invasion, a U.S. official and a European diplomat said on February 21.

However, Ukraine has refused to back down, and the U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on its resolution on February 24, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to two European diplomats. Following this, the Assembly is expected to consider the U.S. draft resolution, as per the diplomats and the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to ongoing private negotiations, Caliber.Az reports, via foreign media.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is also seeking a vote on its resolution in the U.N. Security Council, where China, holding the presidency this month, has scheduled a vote for the afternoon of February 24.

The competing resolutions underscore growing tensions between the U.S., Ukraine, and European nations just five weeks into President Donald Trump’s return to office. His administration has initiated talks with Russia, aiming to end the war, but European leaders were reportedly frustrated at being excluded from preliminary negotiations last week between Washington and Moscow.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the General Assembly has passed multiple resolutions condemning the war and demanding Russia’s complete military withdrawal. Unlike the Security Council, which has been stalled by Russia’s veto power, the General Assembly does not allow vetoes, making its votes a key gauge of international sentiment, albeit non-binding.

Saturday’s votes will be closely watched to assess whether global opposition to Russia’s actions remains firm and to gauge support for Trump’s efforts to expedite a resolution to the conflict.

One European diplomat described intense diplomatic manoeuvring behind the rival resolutions, with the U.S. pressuring Ukraine and European allies to drop their proposal. This coincides with Trump’s planned meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington on February 24.

“The United States believes this is the moment to commit to ending the war. This is our opportunity to build real momentum toward peace,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on February 21. He added that “while challenges may arise, the goal of lasting peace remains achievable” and that the resolution would affirm “this conflict is awful, that the U.N. can help end it, and that peace is possible.”

Ukraine’s resolution, co-sponsored by the 27-member European Union, explicitly cites “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation” and references past U.N. resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression. It reiterates demands for Moscow’s immediate, unconditional military withdrawal and a cessation of hostilities.

By contrast, the U.S. draft makes no mention of Russia’s invasion, instead acknowledging “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and calling for a “swift end to the conflict” and a “lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”

Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, praised the U.S. resolution as “a good move.” Moscow has also proposed an amendment adding the phrase “including by addressing its root causes,” modifying the final text to read: “implores a swift end to the conflict, including by addressing its root causes, and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”

By Vugar Khalilov