On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted two competing resolutions addressing the ongoing war. Both resolutions aimed at maintaining international peace and security but differed in their approach and language.
The resolution proposed by Ukraine, titled “Advancing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” condemns Russia’s aggression, citing its devastating human rights and humanitarian consequences. It calls for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukrainian territory, the release of prisoners of war, and adherence to international law. The resolution received broad support, passing with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Besta emphasized the resolution’s call for “an early end to this war of aggression.”
Meanwhile, the US introduced its own resolution, “The Path to Peace,” which referred to the invasion as the “Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict” — a shift from the US’s prior position. US Ambassador Dorothy Shea argued that Ukraine’s resolution failed to align with UN principles and called for its withdrawal. The US resolution also gained approval, but with EU amendments affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which the US had initially opposed. This shift in US policy followed President Donald Trump’s bilateral negotiations with Russia and his controversial statements about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The split in the UNGA’s resolutions highlights growing divisions within the international community over how to address the conflict. In response to the change in US policy, US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse criticized the move, calling it a “betrayal” of alliances and a national security threat.
In related developments, the UK expanded its sanctions against Russia, and David Crane, founding Chief Prosecutor of the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, urged continued international support for Ukraine to uphold the international order.
The competing resolutions underscore the ongoing global debate on how to resolve the conflict and ensure peace in Ukraine.
Sources: UNGA, Ukrainian Ministry, US Embassy, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
