US Urges Ukraine to Withdraw UN Resolution Calling for Russian Troop Withdrawal: What It Means for Peace Efforts

Recently, the U.S. has urged Ukraine to drop a resolution, which has support from Europe, that calls for an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. Instead, the U.S. wants support for its own proposal that doesn’t mention Russia’s invasion, according to a U.S. official and a European diplomat.

Despite the pressure, Ukraine has decided to keep its resolution. The U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on it on Monday, which marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. This will be a significant moment for Ukraine as it continues to seek support from the international community.

The General Assembly will also consider the U.S. draft. This proposal is being pushed through the U.N. Security Council, and China, currently holding the presidency of the Council, has scheduled a vote for the same day.

This situation highlights the growing tension among the U.S., Ukraine, and European nations in the wake of President Trump’s administration. Many European leaders are frustrated that they were left out of early discussions between the U.S. and Russia aimed at reducing hostilities.

In the current landscape, the General Assembly has emerged as a crucial platform due to the inability of the Security Council to take decisive action, owing to Russia’s veto power.

While the votes in the General Assembly are not legally binding, they send a clear message about global sentiment. Since the invasion on February 24, 2022, the assembly has made strong statements against the conflict, passing several resolutions that call for Russia to pull back its forces.

Monday’s votes will be telling. They will show whether global support for Ukraine is still robust and how much backing there is for the U.S.’s new approach toward resolving the war. A European diplomat mentioned that intense lobbying is happening around both resolutions.

In a recent statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed the U.S. belief that this is a pivotal moment for peace in Ukraine. He emphasized that, despite challenges, the goal of achieving lasting peace is within reach.

The Ukrainian resolution, which is supported by the 27-member European Union, specifically mentions the need for Russia to “immediately and completely withdraw” from Ukrainian territory. It calls for an end to hostilities and aims for a peaceful resolution.

On the other hand, the U.S. resolution focuses on the “tragic loss of life” and urges a quick end to the conflict without explicitly mentioning Russia’s actions. It emphasizes the importance of lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Russia’s U.N. ambassador has described the U.S. proposal as a “good move,” and has suggested some amendments to further shape the resolution’s language.