The United States’ surprising decision to split from its European allies and refuse to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine marks a significant shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump. The unexpected move comes after Trump initiated direct talks with Russia to end the war, excluding Ukraine and its European allies from the initial discussions, which shocked many.
At the UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a Ukrainian resolution calling out Moscow’s aggression and demanding a withdrawal of Russian troops. The US then abstained from voting on its own resolution, which was modified by the European Union to clearly identify Russia as the aggressor. This vote coincided with the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
While the European Union considered the UN vote a positive outcome, some political commentators within Trump’s own Republican party expressed disappointment. Trump has falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war and cautioned the Ukrainian president that he could lose his country if negotiations are not expedited.
The US administration’s renewed communication with Russia, including high-level talks and direct conversations between Trump and President Vladimir Putin, has drawn criticism for failing to acknowledge Russia’s role in initiating the conflict. Despite the UN’s approval of the Ukrainian resolution, which highlighted Ukraine’s right to self-defense under the UN Charter, some nations showed reduced support for Ukraine compared to previous votes condemning Russia’s aggression.
Overall, the US’s deviation from its European allies in the UN vote reflects a significant shift in global politics under the Trump administration, emphasizing the president’s efforts to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
