New York: The United States is calling on the United Nations General Assembly to support its resolution marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while opposing any amendments and rejecting a rival text drafted by Ukraine and its European allies.
In a diplomatic note sent on Sunday and reviewed by Reuters, the U.S. emphasized that its resolution is “a forward-looking resolution focused on one simple idea: ending the war.”
“Through this resolution, Member States can build real momentum towards international peace and security, the maintenance of which is the principal purpose of the United Nations,” the note stated, urging countries to “vote no on any other resolution or amendments presented” during Monday’s meeting.
Competing Resolutions
The U.S. resolution, introduced on Friday, contrasts with a separate proposal from Ukraine and the European Union, which have been working for over a month to negotiate support from UN member states. The European-backed resolution reiterates the UN’s previous demands for Russia to withdraw its forces and cease hostilities, emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders—references absent from the U.S. draft.
Instead, the U.S. text mourns the loss of life in the “Russia-Ukraine conflict” and highlights the UN’s role in maintaining peace and resolving disputes. It “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
Security Council Vote and Proposed Amendments
Diplomatic sources indicate that the 15-member UN Security Council is also expected to vote on the U.S. resolution later on Monday. To pass, the resolution must secure at least nine votes without being vetoed by any of the five permanent members— the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, or France.
The U.S. push for UN action follows former President Donald Trump’s bid to mediate an end to the war, a move that has led to tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and concerns among European allies about being sidelined in peace negotiations. U.S. and Russian officials also held talks on Tuesday.
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The General Assembly will vote on several proposed amendments to the U.S. draft. Russia has submitted an amendment calling for an acknowledgment of the “root causes” of the war. Moscow has maintained that its 2022 invasion was a “special military operation” aimed at “denazifying” Ukraine and countering NATO expansion.
Meanwhile, Britain and 24 EU member states have proposed amendments that would explicitly describe the conflict as “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.” Their revisions also reinforce Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and advocate for a “just, lasting, and comprehensive peace” in accordance with the UN Charter and the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity.
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While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political weight by reflecting the global stance on the war. Unlike the Security Council, no country holds veto power in the General Assembly.
