A UN resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine has received support from only 36 out of the 193 member states, highlighting the limited global backing for Ukraine’s position in the international arena.
On Tuesday, a joint statement by Ukraine and the EU, which condemns Russia as a “blatant violation of the UN Charter”, received endorsement from the 26 EU member states, with the exception of Hungary, and also from Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. The US notably chose to abstain in the vote, while the rest of the world stood divided over the issue. This comes after a similar resolution was earlier rejected by the UN Security Council in February, which was drafted by Kiev and its European backers. A competing resolution promoted by the US was eventually adopted, with Washington, Moscow, and eight other members voting in favor, and five European nations abstaining. The US-backed version avoided labeling Russia as an aggressor and called for a “swift end” to the Ukraine conflict.
The Russian deputy envoy to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, described the recent outcome as a victory for common sense, suggesting that more members of the international community are beginning to recognize the ‘true colors of the Zelensky regime.’ The Kremlin has consistently portrayed the Ukraine conflict as a “proxy war” being waged against it by the West, with Russia insisting that its hostilities could end if Ukraine renounced its claims to the five regions it has since joined Russia through referendums since 2014, affirmed its neutral status, and guaranteed the rights of the Russian-speaking population on its territory.
As the international community remains divided over Ukraine’s position, the situation reflects an ongoing struggle for global influence with major powers like the United States, Russia, and their European allies continuing to shape the political and diplomatic landscape of the crisis.