The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution calling for a prompt cessation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and advocating for lasting peace between the two nations. This decision coincides with the third anniversary of the crisis's full escalation.
The resolution emphasizes the need to end the conflict swiftly and mourns the loss of life, deliberately avoiding placing blame on any party involved. It was approved with 10 votes in favor, including those from China, the United States, and Russia. Abstentions came from France, Britain, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia.
Russia voted in favor of the resolution after its attempts to amend the document were unsuccessful, and it vetoed European proposals to include language supporting Ukraine. Acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea hailed the resolution as a foundational step towards peace, stating, \"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. Now we must use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia and the international community.”
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia acknowledged positive shifts in the U.S. stance on the conflict but noted that the resolution was not ideal, viewing it as a starting point for future peace efforts.
French U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière expressed France's commitment to peace in Ukraine, advocating for a comprehensive and just resolution without the victim's capitulation.
Earlier, France, Britain, and Greece had requested a postponement of the vote on the U.S. draft until February 25, a proposal strongly opposed by the United States. Before adopting the U.S.-drafted resolution, the Security Council had voted on a motion proposed by European countries, which failed to secure the necessary nine votes for passage.
European nations had proposed three amendments to the resolution, including reaffirming Ukraine's sovereignty and calling for a just and comprehensive peace in line with the U.N. Charter. Both European and Russian amendments did not gain sufficient support to pass.
In a related development, the U.N. General Assembly rejected the U.S. draft resolution, passing an alternative resolution backed by Ukraine and European allies that supports Ukraine's sovereignty and calls for a just and comprehensive peace.
Resolutions passed by the U.N. Security Council hold binding authority under international law.
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UN Security Council adopts U.S.-drafted resolution on Ukraine conflict
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