UN backs US ‘neutral’ Ukraine resolution amid European pushback

On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations Security Council approved a U.S.-proposed resolution calling for peace, marking a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the conflict.

The resolution passed with 10 votes in favor, while the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstained. Notably, no member of the 15-member council opposed it.

The resolution, which the U.S. previously introduced at the UN General Assembly, avoided directly condemning Russia. European nations had pushed for amendments explicitly calling out Russian aggression, but at the Security Council, all five proposed changes failed—either due to insufficient support or Russia’s veto.

Describing the measure as “a symbolic, simple first step towards peace,” the U.S. representative defended the resolution’s neutral language. However, Britain’s representative, explaining her country’s abstention, pushed back, stating that there could be “no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war.” She added, “Russia chose to start this war, and this Council must be clear on this.”

Russia’s representative embraced the resolution, calling it “a common-sense initiative” and claiming it reflected the Trump administration’s willingness to “really contribute” to peace. He went further, arguing that “the only player internationally which wants the war to continue” was “the militarizing Europe.”

At the close of the session, the Security Council called for “a swift end to the conflict and urged a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.”

Earlier in the General Assembly, two resolutions on Ukraine had been put to a vote—one introduced by Ukraine with EU backing and another put forward by the U.S. The American resolution notably did not condemn Russia or label it as the aggressor, prompting European leaders to demand revisions. After negotiations, three key amendments were adopted: replacing the term “conflict” with “full-scale invasion,” reaffirming the UN’s commitment to Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity,” and broadening the language on a “lasting peace” between Russia and Ukraine. Ultimately, the General Assembly passed both resolutions, underscoring the growing rift between Washington and its European allies over the future of the war.