Washington, 23 February 2025 — The United States has urged Ukraine to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution calling for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine in favor of a U.S.-proposed text that omits direct mention of Moscow’s invasion, according to a U.S. official and a European diplomat.
However, Ukraine has refused, setting the stage for back-to-back votes at the UN General Assembly on Monday, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Diplomatic sources said the 193-member General Assembly will first vote on Ukraine’s resolution, followed by consideration of the U.S. proposal. The U.S. is also pushing for a separate vote at the UN Security Council, where a session on Ukraine is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
However, European diplomats suggested the vote might be delayed until Tuesday at Russia’s request.
The dueling resolutions underscore tensions between Washington, Kyiv, and European nations since President Donald Trump took office five weeks ago and initiated direct talks with Moscow in a bid to end the war.
European leaders, who were excluded from initial U.S.-Russia negotiations last week, have expressed concerns over being sidelined.
With Russia wielding veto power in the Security Council, the General Assembly has become the primary UN forum addressing the war. While its resolutions are nonbinding, they serve as an indicator of global sentiment.
Since Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, the assembly has repeatedly condemned the war and called for the withdrawal of Russian forces. Monday’s votes will be a measure of whether international opposition to Russia’s actions remains strong and how much support exists for Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
“There has been significant lobbying on both drafts,” a European diplomat said, adding that Washington has pressured Kyiv and European allies to back down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed the U.S. proposal as an opportunity for peace.
“This is the moment to commit to ending the war,” Rubio stated Friday, emphasizing the need to “build real momentum toward peace.”
Ukraine’s resolution, co-sponsored by the 27-nation European Union, explicitly refers to Russia’s “full-scale invasion” and reaffirms previous UN demands for Moscow’s immediate and unconditional military withdrawal. It also calls for de-escalation, an early ceasefire, and a peaceful resolution to the war.
In contrast, the U.S. draft takes a neutral stance, acknowledging “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” while urging a “swift end” without assigning blame.
Russia has welcomed the U.S. approach, with its UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, calling it “a good move.” Moscow has proposed an amendment to the U.S. text, adding language about addressing the war’s “root causes.”
The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Trump prepares to host French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington on Monday, with Ukraine expected to be high on the agenda.
