The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump requested Ukraine to withdraw its UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russian aggression and demanding that Moscow withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory. Kyiv viewed the resolution as an attempt to limit any expression of accountability for Russia's invasion.
This information was reported by The Washington Post, citing anonymous European diplomats and a Ukrainian official.
Trump's shift towards Putin's Russia undermines U.S. policy spanning generations – NYTDonald Trump’s statements regarding Russia are drastically altering American foreign policy that has remained consistent for decades.According to reports, this proposal stunned Kyiv, which refused to withdraw its resolution. The resolution is set to be made public on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2025.
As per WP, Washington initially suggested that Kyiv modify the UN resolution draft to "weaken it."
Subsequently, the U.S. introduced its own resolution draft and demanded that Ukraine withdraw its version, which had already been coordinated with other partner countries that planned to vote in favor.
A Ukrainian source told The Washington Post that President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry not to retract the existing resolution.
"Their proposal is very brief and contains entirely new wording. Many representatives from other countries say that it resembles a call for appeasement with Putin more than a call for peace," the source added, noting that he did not expect pressure on Ukraine, "rather than on the Russians."
It is noted that the resolution was perceived in Kyiv as an attempt to limit any expression of accountability for Russia's invasion, particularly since the request came after U.S. President Donald Trump falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war.
As is well known, the United States presented its own resolution draft to the UN for the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This document differs from the initiatives of Ukraine and the EU, as it includes amendments proposed by the Russian side.
It should be recalled that on February 20, it became known that the U.S. refused to be a co-author of the UN resolution confirming Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as condemning Russian aggression.
On the same day, media reported that the U.S. opposed the use of the term "aggressor" in relation to Russia in the G7 statement dedicated to the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
Previously, President Zelensky also commented on the White House's position regarding Russia. He specifically noted that Russians cannot be justified, as they bear responsibility for the invasion of Ukraine.