UN General Assembly Backs Ukraine, US Abstains From Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday adopted a resolution reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the United States abstaining from the vote. The resolution, passed with 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, reiterates the “firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
Key Provisions of the Resolution
Beyond reaffirming support for Ukraine, the resolution calls for an “immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, and advocates for a “global, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law.” It likewise emphasizes the need for a full exchange of prisoners of war.
US Abstention Explained
The United States requested a separate vote on paragraphs concerning Ukraine’s territorial integrity and international law, but this request was denied. The US abstained from the vote. Deputy US Ambassador Tammy Bruce stated that while the US welcomes the call for an immediate ceasefire, “This resolution also includes language that risks distracting from ongoing negotiations instead of supporting all diplomatic avenues that could pave the way to lasting peace.”
G7 Support for Ukraine Remains Firm
Despite the US abstention, leaders of the G7 countries – Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom – reaffirmed their “unwavering support for Ukraine in the defense of its territorial integrity and its right to exist.”
Recent US Voting History on Ukraine Resolutions
This vote follows a similar pattern from a year prior, where the United States voted against a UNGA resolution calling for a “just peace” in Ukraine. In that instance, the US secured a Security Council resolution, with Russian support, demanding a rapid peace but omitting any mention of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a move that drew criticism from Kyiv’s European allies.
Background: UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/7
This resolution is the seventh adopted during the eleventh emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, which began in 2022. UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/7 was adopted on February 24, 2025. The eleventh emergency session has been adjourned and resumed multiple times and remains temporarily adjourned, with over twenty plenary meetings held since 2022.
As of February 24, 2026, the United States, under the leadership of President Trump, continues to pursue a negotiated agreement to complete the conflict. US Ambassador Tammy Bruce emphasized the need for all parties to lower rhetoric and engage in good faith negotiations.