PolicyBrief
S.RES. 100
119th CongressFeb 26th 2025
A resolution dissenting from the United States delegation's February 24, 2025, vote at the United Nations General Assembly.
IN COMMITTEE

Condemns the U.S. delegation's vote against a UN resolution supporting Ukraine, which aligned the U.S. with Russia and other autocracies, and reaffirms support for Ukraine's sovereignty. Urges future collaboration with Ukraine and European allies on UN resolutions regarding Ukraine.

Jeanne Shaheen
D

Jeanne Shaheen

Senator

NH

LEGISLATION

U.S. Sides with Russia, Belarus, and North Korea in UN Vote Against Ukraine, Departing from Bipartisan Policy

This resolution pulls no punches: it straight-up condemns the U.S. delegation's vote against a UN resolution that called out Russia's aggression in Ukraine. It flags the February 24, 2025 vote as a major break from long-standing, bipartisan U.S. policy of supporting Ukraine and working with democratic allies. Instead, it puts the U.S. in the same corner as Russia, Belarus, and North Korea.

What Just Happened?!

The core issue is the U.S. delegation's "no" vote on Ukraine's draft resolution (AES11L.10) at the UN. This resolution essentially slammed Russia's actions in Ukraine. By voting against it, the U.S. effectively aligned itself with countries known more for authoritarianism than democratic values. The document also points out that a separate U.S.-led resolution in the UN Security Council didn't even name Russia as the aggressor – and failed to get backing from key European allies.

Real-World Blowback

Imagine you're a Ukrainian citizen, watching your country fight for its survival. Then you see the U.S., a supposed ally, voting against a resolution condemning the aggressor. That's going to sting. This resolution isn't just about diplomatic niceties; it's about real-world security. It directly references the UN Charter's goals of maintaining peace and suppressing aggression. The concern is that this U.S. vote undermines those very goals.

For the average American, this might seem like distant political maneuvering. But think about it: international cooperation is what keeps things relatively stable. When the U.S. isolates itself from allies like this, it can have knock-on effects on everything from trade to national security. And it is important to question why the U.S. delegation voted in the way that they did.

The Path Forward (Maybe?)

This resolution isn't just about complaining. It urges the U.S. to get back in sync with Ukraine and European allies on future UN efforts concerning Ukraine. It's a call to reaffirm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity – basically, to get back to basics. The challenge? Actually doing it. This resolution can express disapproval, but it can't force the U.S. delegation to change its stance. That's going to take political pressure and a serious re-evaluation of foreign policy priorities.

The Big Picture

This situation highlights a bigger question about America's role in the world. Are we sticking with our allies and standing up for democratic principles, or are we going our own way, even if that means aligning with countries that have very different values? This resolution is a clear statement that the U.S. needs to get its act together and remember who its friends are.