The United States abstained in a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution it drafted to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine, after European states’ amendments were accepted.
The amendments made to the U.S. resolution included adding references to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the founding U.N. Charter and reaffirming the U.N.’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.
Amended Draft Goes Through
The amended U.S.-drafted resolution won 93 votes in favor, while 73 states abstained and eight voted no.
The U.S. put forward its text on Friday, pitting it against Ukraine and European allies who spent the past month negotiating with their own resolution. The General Assembly also adopted the resolution drafted by Ukraine and European countries on Monday with 93 votes in favor, 65 abstentions and 18 no votes.
The U.S. Resolution
In a diplomatic note sent on Sunday and reviewed by Reuters, the United States had described its brief resolution as “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,” it said, asking countries to “vote no on any other resolution or amendments presented” during Monday’s meeting.
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly repeatedly backed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders since the war began. The U.S. draft made no reference to that.
The U.S. text mourned the loss of life during the “Russia-Ukraine conflict”, reiterated that the U.N.’s main purpose is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes. It “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
