EU and USA with two resolutions on Ukraine at the UN: North Macedonia on Washington’s side

On the third anniversary of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, two different resolutions were proposed to the United Nations. The first, led by the United States and co-sponsored by North Macedonia, Israel, Georgia and Hungary, calls for a swift end to the war. The second letter, submitted by Germany and France on behalf of the European Union, refers directly to the “complete occupation of Ukraine by the Russian Federation” and calls for the unconditional withdrawal of Moscow’s troops.

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, gave no further details as to why he is siding with the USA in the race for solutions. “This is what we have decided,” he explained, without giving many details. He expressed the expectation that the resolution would find a majority at the United Nations.

In a diplomatic note, the United States described its resolution as a forward-looking effort with a clear goal: ending the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the resolution “simple and historic” and emphasized that its adoption would pave the way for international peace and security. The US also called on member states to oppose any competing amendments or texts.

The text proposed by the US expresses regret for the tragic loss of life in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and emphasizes the need for a lasting peaceful solution.

However, the resolution lacks references to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – issues that have played a central role in previous UN resolutions.

The EU resolution led by France and Germany, on the other hand, takes a more direct tone. It calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces and describes the conflict as “the complete occupation of Ukraine by the Russian Federation”. This approach reflects the EU’s position of clearly defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the UN Charter.

The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the American draft resolution. At least nine votes in favor and no veto from the five permanent members – the USA, Russia, China, the UK and France – are required for its adoption. Russia described the invasion in 2022 as a “special military operation to denazify Ukraine” and proposed amendments addressing the “root causes” of the war.

The UK and 24 other EU states have also proposed amendments to include references to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to call for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

The US initiative comes at a time when former President Donald Trump has launched a mediation initiative to end the war, causing a row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and raising concerns among European allies that they could be excluded from the peace talks. /The Geopost/