UN rejects US resolution that urges an end to the war in Ukraine without noting Russian aggression

In a win for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) refused to approve a US-backed resolution on Monday that urges an end to the war.

Members of the assembly refused to adopt Washington’s resolution as it failed to make mention of the Kremlin’s aggression.

Instead they approved a European-backed resolution which demands Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territories, which US President Donald Trump’s administration opposes.

Washington tried to pressure Kyiv into withdrawing their resolution in favour of its proposal. Ukraine refused, before approving the resolution with three European-proposed amendments, adding language to the US proposal which makes clear that Moscow invaded Kyiv in violation of the UN charter.

The amended resolution passed with 93 votes in favour, 8 no votes and 73 abstentions in a setback for the Trump administration in the 193-member world body, whose resolutions are not legally binding, but are viewed as an indication of world opinion.

A separate resolution drafted by Ukraine and European countries also passed with 93 votes in favour, 18 no votes and 65 abstentions. The US along with Russia, Israel and North Korea were among the countries that votes no.

The resolutions signalled diminishing support for Ukraine on the international level. UNGA passed Ukrainian resolutions with overwhelming majorities, seeing at times more than 140 members adopting them while condemning Russia.

Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said her country is exercising its “inherent right to self-defence”.

“As we mark three years of this devastation — Russia’s full invasion against Ukraine — we call on all nations to stand firm and to take … the