The United States has urged United Nations member states to back its proposed resolution on the Ukraine war, which avoids direct criticism of Russia and does not mention Ukraine’s occupied territories, according to diplomatic sources.
Washington’s proposal, viewed by AFP, appears to compete with a separate resolution drafted by Ukraine and its European allies. The latter explicitly condemns Russia for the invasion and reaffirms Ukraine’s territorial integrity—elements missing from the U.S. draft. Instead, the 65-word American resolution calls for a “swift end to the conflict” and expresses sorrow for the loss of life without attributing blame.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the resolution as a “simple, historic” step toward peace and urged UN members to support it. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia welcomed the proposal as a “good move” but argued that it failed to address the root causes of the war.
Trump’s Shift in Stance on Ukraine War
The resolution comes amid controversy over Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks, a move that drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Former President Donald Trump, who has previously dismissed Zelensky’s leadership, recently suggested that direct negotiations between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are necessary to end the war.
“President Putin and President Zelensky need to meet … We want to stop the killing of millions of people,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
He also hinted that Ukraine might soon agree to a deal giving the U.S. preferential access to its mineral resources, a contentious issue in Kyiv-Washington relations. Trump has advocated for U.S. companies to gain access to Ukraine’s natural wealth in exchange for American financial and military aid.
Ukraine’s Position and European Reactions
Ukraine, in response, has sought security guarantees from Washington before agreeing to any resource-related agreements. Zelensky, who previously rejected the minerals deal, expressed hope for a “fair outcome” in negotiations.
Trump, however, claimed that Ukraine had little leverage in the ongoing discussions. “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, but not so much with Ukraine. They don’t have any cards,” he remarked.
His stance has raised concerns among European leaders, who fear he may offer concessions to Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated he would remind Trump that “you can’t be weak with President Putin.” Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed support for Ukraine, declaring, “We will not leave Ukraine alone or allow decisions to be made without them.”
Battlefield Updates and Ceasefire Uncertainty
On the ground, fighting continues as both sides seek an advantage. Russia announced the capture of two additional villages in eastern Ukraine. Amid shifting U.S. rhetoric, Zelensky urged European nations to take greater action, stating, “Europe must and can do much more to achieve real peace.”
With world leaders set for high-stakes meetings in Washington, the future of international support for Ukraine remains uncertain.
