A secret US–Russia-drafted UN resolution sidelining condemnation of Russia’s Ukraine invasion triggered backlash from European allies and exposed widening cracks in Western unity.
At a Glance
- On February 21, 2025, US Chargé Dorothy Shea privately urged Ukraine to withdraw its strongly worded UN resolution condemning Russian aggression
- Shea presented a US–Russia-drafted text that omitted references to invasion or Ukrainian territorial integrity
- France and the UK led a European pushback, refusing to drop Ukraine’s original resolution
- On February 24, 2025, Ukraine’s resolution passed with 93 votes; the US and Russia voted against
- The US then introduced UN Security Council Resolution 2774, criticized for lacking condemnation of Russian actions
Secret Deal Triggers Diplomatic Shock
On February 21, 2025, three days before a scheduled UN General Assembly vote, US diplomat Dorothy Shea informed European counterparts that Ukraine should withdraw its resolution condemning Russia’s invasion. In its place, a US–Russia draft—negotiated without Kyiv or European input—would be tabled. The new text, according to Le Monde, made no mention of Russian aggression or Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Watch a report: US–Russia UN Tensions Over Ukraine Resolution.
European Allies Defend Ukraine’s Text
France and the UK reacted swiftly, calling an emergency meeting of EU and NATO envoys. According to Politico Europe, both countries refused to support what they saw as a US “betrayal” of Ukraine. European diplomats insisted that Kyiv’s original resolution—condemning Russian aggression and demanding withdrawal—be put to a vote unchanged.
Resolution Passes Despite US Opposition
On February 24, the General Assembly passed Ukraine’s resolution with 93 in favor, 8 against—including both the US and Russia—and 73 abstentions, as reported by AP News. In parallel, the US submitted Security Council Resolution 2774, which avoided any mention of Russia’s role in the conflict. European diplomats, per The Times, condemned the move as undermining Western unity.
NATO Cohesion At Risk
This episode follows a February summit in Riyadh, where US and Russian officials met bilaterally—excluding Ukraine and EU members. European capitals now fear Washington is pivoting toward a deal with Moscow that could marginalize Ukrainian interests. According to Time, NATO’s incoming secretary-general is facing rising pressure to preserve allied consensus amid this deepening diplomatic rift.
