The United States is pushing for the United Nations General Assembly to support a resolution commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Set to be presented on Monday, this resolution seeks to oppose any amendments and to vote down a competing text proposed by Ukraine and its European allies.
According to a diplomatic note reviewed by Reuters, the U.S. resolution is focused on one key idea: “ending the war.” The U.S. has described it as a “forward-looking resolution” that aims to build momentum toward achieving international peace and security, which are the primary goals of the United Nations. The resolution urges member states to vote against any alternative resolutions or amendments that may be proposed during Monday’s meeting.
This proposal, introduced by the U.S. on Friday, stands in opposition to a resolution drafted by Ukraine and the European Union. Over the past month, Ukraine and its allies have been working with U.N. member states to finalize their own resolution, which calls for Russia’s immediate withdrawal of troops and the cessation of hostilities.
The General Assembly, composed of 193 members, has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity since the war began. However, the U.S. resolution does not directly address Ukraine’s territorial claims or the sovereignty issue, which is central to other drafts.
Instead, the U.S. resolution acknowledges the significant loss of life in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirms the U.N.’s primary mission of maintaining international peace, and urges the swift and lasting conclusion of the war. It calls for an enduring peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, amendments to the U.S. draft resolution are being proposed. Russia has suggested adding language to address the “root causes” of the war, framing its 2022 invasion as a “special military operation” aimed at “denazifying” Ukraine and halting NATO’s expansion. Additionally, Britain and 24 European Union nations have proposed amendments that would characterize the conflict as Russia’s “full-scale invasion of Ukraine” and emphasize Ukraine’s sovereignty. They also advocate for a “just, lasting, and comprehensive peace” based on the principles of the U.N. Charter, which include the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
The U.N. General Assembly resolutions, while not legally binding, carry significant political weight, as they reflect the global community’s stance on issues. Unlike the Security Council, no country in the General Assembly holds a veto, making these votes a vital tool in shaping international opinion on key global matters. Later on Monday, the U.S. resolution will also be put to a vote in the U.N. Security Council, where it needs nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from permanent members (U.S., Russia, China, Britain, or France) to pass.
This diplomatic maneuver by the U.S. follows President Donald Trump’s attempt to broker a peace deal, which has caused a rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and raised concerns among European allies about being sidelined in peace negotiations.
