US votes against UN resolution condemning Russia for Ukraine war

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article misstated the delay over Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-N.Y.) confirmation as ambassador to the United Nations.

The U.S. voted against a resolution condemning Russia as the aggressor in the war in Ukraine that passed the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, marking three years since Russia’s launched its full-scale invasion of the country. 

Among the 17 countries that joined the U.S. in opposition to the nonbinding measure were Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Israel and Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is a close ally to President Trump. China abstained, along with 64 other countries.

Ukraine’s European allies were unanimously in support. The resolution is an expression of the body, not a binding action, but signals weakening U.S. political support for Ukraine under the Trump administration, in favor of improved relations with Russia.

Trump, asked about the vote in the Oval Office on Monday, said he would rather not explain the rationale behind it, but called it “self-evident.”

Trump in recent days has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, which started when Moscow initiated a full-scale invasion into the neighboring country on Feb. 24, 2022.

Trump has also recently called Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” and his top diplomats over the weekend refused to cast blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin, a stance that has also sewed a growing rift with traditionally hawkish Republicans regarding Moscow’s international aggression.

The resolution, titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” passed the General Assembly with a vote of 93 in favor, 18 against and 65 abstaining. 

The text of the resolution calls for de-escalation, early cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine. 

The U.S. proposed a competing resolution that omitted any mention of Russian aggression. The U.S. abstained from voting for its own resolution, following amendments to the text. The resolution passed with 93 in favor, eight against and 73 abstaining. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. resolution is “consistent with President Trump’s view” that the U.N. must return to its “founding purpose … to maintain international peace and security, including through the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting head of the U.S. mission to the U.N., said in remarks before the vote that the language included in Ukraine’s resolution mirrors previous resolutions, which “have failed to stop the war.”

“ It has now dragged on for far too long, and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine, in Russia and beyond,” Shea said. 

Shea, an appointee of former President Biden, said the competing, U.S.-backed resolution implores a swift end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

“This is what is needed now, and we urge all member states, including Ukraine and Russia, to join us in this effort.  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.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has been nominated as Trump’s ambassador to the U.N., a Cabinet position, but has yet to make the transition given the tight GOP majority in the House. 

Updated Feb. 25 at at 8:47 a.m. EST