UN Rejects US Resolution to Remove Moscow's Aggressor Label

What Happened?

The U.N. General Assembly rejected a U.S. resolution that urged approval of an end to the war in Ukraine without noting Russia's aggression.

According to reports, the U.S. joined Russia in a stunning shift from years of U.S. policy, which has backed its longtime European allies.

Instead, the U.S. aligned with Moscow on the three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Leading up to Monday's vote, the United States had reportedly been lobbying countries globally to oppose the U.N. resolution to support a U.S. draft instead.

But the assembly approved the European-backed Ukrainian resolution 93-18, with 65 abstentions.

It demanded Russia immediately withdraw from Ukraine.

Why it Matters

Although the decisions aren't legally binding, they outline to the masses a worldview opinion.

Some reportedly see this outcome as a setback for the Trump administration that highlights some diminished support for Ukraine.

A news conference planned last week between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg was suddenly canceled.

The move came amid political tensions over negotiating leverage to end the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg visited Kyiv as part of his planned listening trip to gain feedback from Ukraine and brief the Trump administration.

Instead, the U.S. requested the sudden change as doubts about the countries’ future relationship remain unclear.

Ukraine and U.S. officials are in the final stages of negotiating a minerals deal that's considered critical to ending the three-year conflict.

'The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature,' Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna wrote online.

Both parties are interested in the U.S. having access to Ukraine's undersoil riches, according to Reuters.

But Zelenskiy has said any such deal must involve concrete security guarantees.

He will also not acknowledge Biden-supplied aid as a loan.

The former Biden administration facilitated $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in direct budget support.

Trump however has stated Ukraine should give $500 billion in critical raw materials to the U.S. as payback for aid.

How it Affects You

It's still unclear if the U.S. will change its position on offering U.S. security guarantees to finalize a minerals deal.

Despite Trump's previous criticism of Zelenskyy, some progress has been made towards a fragile, but somewhat remaining relationship between the countries.

Trump plans to reverse three years of U.S. policy that focused on isolating Russia relations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin could reportedly meet in person with Trump as early as this month.

The U.S. still aims to see a brokered deal between Ukraine and Russia push through.