As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, European leaders were left scrambling following the announcement that the United States had submitted a new draft resolution to the United Nations in opposition to a Ukrainian proposal that was backed by European countries. The move has led to heightened tensions, as the US pressures Ukraine to withdraw its resolution, which condemns Russia for its role in the ongoing conflict and calls for accountability for war crimes.

The conflict between the US and its European allies centers on two competing resolutions. Ukraine’s proposal, supported by European nations, emphasizes sovereignty, condemns Russia’s human rights violations, and calls for accountability. In contrast, the US-backed resolution, which President Trump has championed, offers a “simpler” path to peace and focuses on the United Nations’ role in promoting international peace and security through peaceful dispute resolution.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday urging UN member states to support the US resolution. He highlighted that it aligns with President Trump’s view that the UN must return to its founding purpose of maintaining peace, and stressed that the US acknowledges the “awful” nature of the war while emphasizing that “peace is possible.”

Trump’s shift in stance from previous US administrations has complicated the situation. Under the Biden administration, the US was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, but Trump has shown a softer approach towards Russia. In a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump criticized the Biden administration for funding Ukraine, stating that the US should seek to “get our money back” from Ukraine and push for mineral and oil deals in return for aid. He also argued that the war impacts Europe more than the US, claiming that America should not bear the burden of supporting Ukraine while Europe should contribute more.

This rhetoric has sparked a backlash from European diplomats, with some accusing the US of trying to appease Russia. A diplomat familiar with the negotiations told The Washington Post that many representatives from other countries view the US’s resolution as a move toward appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin rather than a genuine effort to end the war. European diplomats are reportedly unhappy with Washington’s pressure on Ukraine to withdraw its resolution and feel that it amounts to “surrendering to Russia.”

At the heart of the dispute is a significant difference in the resolutions’ approaches. The US-backed proposal is notably shorter and lacks detailed demands for Russia, while Ukraine’s resolution directly places the blame on Russia and seeks accountability for the war crimes it has committed. The US resolution has drawn criticism for not holding Russia more accountable, and its simplicity has led some European officials to view it as inadequate in addressing the scale of the conflict.

Tensions escalated as the Trump administration threatened to oppose the Ukrainian resolution during an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly scheduled for Monday. According to reports, approximately 110 out of 193 member countries were expected to back Ukraine’s resolution at the session. The US also requested a Security Council meeting an hour before the General Assembly session, though the council has been deadlocked on resolutions due to Russia’s veto power.

The proposed showdown between the US and Ukraine at the UN highlights the growing rift between Washington and its European allies over how to handle the ongoing conflict. European leaders are set to meet with President Trump next week in Washington to discuss the situation further, as they try to find a way to bridge the divide and maintain their unified stance on supporting Ukraine.

As the war enters its third year, the divide over how to address the conflict at the international level may have lasting implications for global diplomacy and the balance of power in the UN. The outcome of this standoff could signal a shift in the US’s foreign policy and its approach to Russia, with consequences for its relationships with European nations and the future of the Ukrainian conflict.

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