US refuses to sponsor UN resolution condemning Russia over conflict...

Russian soldiers participate in a military exercise. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The United Nations resolution reaffirms Ukraine’s territorial integrity and continues to demand the withdrawal of Russian troops, diplomatic sources told Reuters, a move that could signal a significant shift in policy by Ukraine’s most important Western ally.

Meanwhile, according to the Financial Times (FT), not only did the US refuse to co-sponsor the resolution at the United Nations, it also objected to a phrase in the statement that the Group of Seven (G7) planned to announce on February 24.

The Financial Times reported that Washington disagreed with the wording condemning “Russian aggression,” a phrase that has appeared frequently in G7 and UN statements since February 2022. Accordingly, US representatives at the UN supported softer language, proposing to use the phrase “Ukraine conflict.”

The US shift in stance comes amid heightened tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, who is seeking a quick end to the war. This week, Trump sent a delegation to talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine.

Over the past two years, Ukraine's allies have used the February 24 anniversary to emphasize their opposition to Russia's military campaign.

Countries can decide to co-sponsor a UN resolution until the vote, diplomats said. The 193-member UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote on it on February 24. Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they still carry important political significance, reflecting the international community's views on many international issues.

“The US has previously co-sponsored similar resolutions to show support for a just peace in Ukraine,” said an unnamed diplomatic source.

The draft resolution has now been endorsed by more than 50 countries, but the specific list has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, a source confirmed that the US has no intention of signing the resolution at this time. Instead, diplomats are seeking support from countries in the "Global South," a term used to describe developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

When asked about the issue, the US diplomatic mission to the United Nations in Geneva declined to comment.

Last week, G7 foreign ministers issued a statement regarding Ukraine, but did not use the phrase “Russian aggression.” Instead, they referred to the “brutal war in Ukraine.”

The split has created a serious political crisis for Ukraine, which received tens of billions of dollars in military aid from the United States under the previous administration. Ukraine relies not only on military support but also on Washington’s diplomatic support to maintain international pressure on Russia.

According to documents obtained by Reuters, the draft resolution of the UN General Assembly calls for: De-escalation of the conflict, cessation of hostilities as soon as possible and search for a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine. Full implementation of previous resolutions related to Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Demand that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all military forces from the territory of Ukraine according to the internationally recognized borders.

Russia now controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory and continues to gain ground on the eastern front. Moscow has declared its campaign a special military operation in response to the perceived threat posed by Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership. However, Ukraine and the West view it as an invasion.

The US refusal to co-sponsor the resolution and the disagreement within the G7 could signal a significant shift in how the West deals with the war in Ukraine, as the conflict enters its third year.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/my-tu-choi-bao-tro-nghi-quyet-lien-hop-quoc-len-an-nga-lien-quan-xung-dot-ukraine-243452.html