The United Nations General Assembly voted Tuesday to reaffirm support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion – with the United States abstaining, a move that quickly sparked criticism in Washington.
The resolution, adopted by 107 votes in favor, 12 against – including Russia – and 51 abstentions, underscored commitment to Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
It also called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”
The US was among those that did not back the measure.
Washington had pushed for a separate vote on paragraphs referencing Ukraine’s territorial integrity and international law, but the proposal was rejected.
The abstention marks another shift under President Donald Trump, whose return to the White House in January 2025 has coincided with a cooling of the firm, open-ended US backing seen under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump has reopened diplomatic channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and US officials have repeatedly avoided directly condemning Moscow’s 2022 invasion.
Under Trump, Washington has largely brushed aside European and Ukrainian calls to intensify economic and military pressure on Russia, arguing that tougher measures could derail fragile diplomatic efforts.
US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce said the United States welcomed the UN’s appeal for a ceasefire but argued the resolution contained “language that is likely to distract” from negotiations. She did not elaborate.
The decision to abstain drew rare public criticism from within Trump’s orbit.
Keith Kellogg, who served as Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia last year, took to social media to slam the move.
“A UN vote on a lasting peace in Ukraine and we abstained. Go figure,” Kellogg wrote. “It is not a business deal – it is war.”
The retired general criticized Washington for failing to support a resolution that reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and emphasized adherence to the UN Charter.
Despite the split at the UN, leaders of the Group of Seven – including Trump – issued a separate statement reaffirming their “unwavering support for Ukraine” on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
The Security Council had long been paralyzed on Ukraine due to Russia’s veto power.
“Despite peace efforts led by the US and supported by Europe, Russia continues to demonstrate no genuine willingness to stop this aggression,” Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said at the UN.
Russia’s Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva countered that Kyiv should focus on diplomacy “rather than initiating yet another politicized vote.”