For the first time since the beginning of Russia's special military operation, the United States has not been among the co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly draft resolution supporting Kiev and condemning Russia's actions, Reuters and The Telegraph report, citing sources. The resolution was proposed by Ukraine and the European Union, Reuters notes. It "reaffirms the urgent need to end the war this year and redouble diplomatic efforts to reduce the risks of further escalation and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace on the Ukraine".
As the agency notes, the language of the resolution has been significantly softened compared to the wording that was used in such documents earlier.
The text also emphasizes the need to implement previous UN resolutions that require Russia to withdraw troops from the territory of Ukraine and call on Moscow to stop the fighting.
As an alternative, the United States submitted its own three-paragraph draft resolution. It expresses sorrow over the loss of life during the "Russian-Ukrainian conflict" and emphasizes that "the main goal of the UN is to maintain international peace and security and the peaceful settlement of disputes," Reuters writes with reference to the document.
The resolution also calls for "an early end to the conflict and strongly recommends the establishment of lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
Russia has proposed an amendment to this line, according to Reuters, whose journalists have familiarized themselves with the wording.
Now it sounds like this: "(The UN General Assembly) calls for an early end to the conflict, including by addressing its root causes, and further calls for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
Russia's permanent representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzia called the US project "a good step." A Russian diplomat who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said that if Russia's amendment is adopted by the General Assembly, Moscow will vote for the US resolution.
The resolutions of the UN General Assembly are advisory in nature. The new document is planned to be published by the third anniversary of the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The General Assembly adopted six resolutions on the conflict in the first year of the Russian military operation alone, Reuters notes.
The United States decided on the resolution against the background of the conflict between the Ukrainian and American presidents, who have exchanged criticism over the past few days, including over negotiations to conclude a fossil deal. At the same time, Russia and the United States held talks in Riyadh, where the issue of resolving the conflict on the Ukraine. The parties agreed to continue working in this direction. The Kremlin ruled out warming relations with the United States.