The United States, under President Donald Trump, has split with its European allies by refusing to directly blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, in votes on three UN resolutions Monday aimed at ending the ongoing war. This division marks a significant change in US foreign policy, with Trump pushing for direct negotiations with Russia to bring the conflict to a close, but excluding Ukraine and European allies from the preliminary talks.
In the UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a European-backed resolution that condemned Moscow’s aggression and demanded its immediate withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. The US then abstained from voting on its own competing resolution after European nations, led by France, amended it to clearly label Russia as the aggressor. The resolution, however, did not reference Russia’s direct responsibility, instead calling for a swift end to the conflict.
The development comes as the conflict entered its third year, with Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington highlighting the growing rift between the US and its traditional European allies on the best approach to resolve the war.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has also caused friction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump has accused of being a “dictator” for not holding elections amid the ongoing war. Trump’s approach to peace negotiations, which he argues could end the war quickly, has been criticized by both Ukrainian leaders and analysts, with some suggesting that the US president may be favoring Russia’s position in the process.
As the UN votes continued, a resolution acknowledging Russia’s invasion of Ukraine passed with amendments from France reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and calling for peace that respects international law. The US, meanwhile, pushed for its own resolution, which calls for peace between Russia and Ukraine but refrains from assigning blame to Moscow.
The situation has placed the US in an increasingly isolated position on the international stage, as allies in Europe and Asia align themselves with Ukraine’s call for justice and accountability in the conflict. The UN General Assembly resolution, which urges Russia to withdraw all military forces from Ukraine, reflects global support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity despite the US’s shift in policy.
In the face of this growing divide, many warn that Trump’s proposals could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and ultimately embolden Russia to continue its aggression. As the war continues, the question remains: will Trump’s push for negotiations lead to a peaceful resolution or further strain transatlantic relations?
