By MICHELLE NICHOLS Reuters
Share this story

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that takes a neutral position on the conflict as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to broker peace.

The short resolution reflects Trump’s upending of U.S. policy on Ukraine after taking office last month and his more conciliatory stance towards Russia. In contrast, former president Joe Biden’s administration led efforts at the United Nations to support Ukraine throughout the war.

ADVERTISING

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia acknowledged “constructive changes” in the U.S. position on the conflict. He told the council the resolution was “not an ideal one,” but “a starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement.”

The 15-member U.N. Security Council had been deadlocked throughout the war and unable to take any action because Russia holds a veto.

But the 193-member General Assembly has repeatedly supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the U.N. Charter.

The U.S. failed earlier on Monday to convince the General Assembly to pass the same three-paragraph resolution adopted by the Security Council.

The resolution mourns the loss of life in the “Russia-Ukraine conflict”, reiterates the U.N.’s purpose is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes, and urges a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace.

The Security Council adopted the U.S. resolution with 10 votes in favor, while France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia abstained. Russia voted in favor after failing to amend it and vetoing European bids to add language supporting Ukraine.

“This resolution puts us on the path to peace. It is a first step, but a crucial one – one of which we should all be proud,” acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea told the council. “Now we must use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia and the international community.”

However, Trump’s approach to mediation has left Ukraine and European allies wary of his focus on Russia and worried they could be cut out of talks to end the war.

Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council that the terms of peace in Ukraine matter and must “send a message that aggression does not pay.”

“This is why there can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this council refers to this war.