Now the U.S. stands against Ukraine: why Trump backed Putin during the UN meeting.

On February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, condemning Russia's actions and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Notably, this time the United States joined Russia in voting against the resolution, reflecting shifts in geopolitical dynamics. The American administration opposed the measure, arguing that such condemnations do not contribute to achieving peace. The U.S. even attempted to persuade some allies, such as Hungary and Costa Rica, to withdraw their support for the document, but these efforts did not alter the voting results.

The resolution was supported by 93 countries, 18 voted against it, including the U.S. and Russia, while 65 abstained. In comparison, similar resolutions in 2022 and 2023 were supported by 141 countries.

At the same time, the U.S. proposed its own resolution, calling for a swift peace between Russia and Ukraine without directly condemning Russia. However, European countries introduced amendments criticizing Moscow, which led to the U.S. abstaining from voting on its own resolution. This incident highlights Europe's growing willingness to pursue an independent policy regarding Ukraine.

Following the failure of the American resolution in the General Assembly, the UN Security Council adopted a neutral resolution calling for an immediate cessation of conflict and emphasizing the UN's role in maintaining international peace. This resolution was supported by 10 votes, with 5 abstentions, including France and the United Kingdom. Russia backed this resolution despite its opposition in the General Assembly.

Is Trump Getting Closer to Russia?

The anti-Russian resolution did not receive support from the United States, reflecting a change in the policy of President Donald Trump's administration. He expressed the need to end the war through peaceful negotiations, even if it requires certain compromises with Russia. International experts and politicians have voiced concerns regarding this move.

French diplomats noted that Trump's support for Russia could lead to serious disagreements among Western allies, negatively impacting support for Ukraine. Australian analyst Jerome Stark believes that Trump's position is a serious mistake that could raise questions about the U.S. as a reliable ally. This may compel other countries to reconsider their Ukraine support policies. The Spanish publication El País stated that if the U.S. chooses Russia at the UN, it may influence other countries' positions and force them to reassess their strategic interests, particularly in Europe.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that Trump's support for Russia undermines joint efforts to uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and combat Russian aggression.

According to political science candidate and international relations expert Stanislav Zhelikhovsky, there are several reasons why Trump has, in a way, supported Putin.

Another reason lies in balancing interests. The United States is trying to find a compromise between supporting Ukraine and the desire not to provoke Russia into escalation, which may be part of a pressure tactic on official Kyiv. If negotiations do occur, they will likely be based on certain compromises, and evidently, Ukraine will be forced to make concessions, as the current situation does not allow for a complete turnaround in its favor.

"Political factors in the U.S. also play a role. Debates over funding aid to Ukraine continue, and Republicans who support Trump often oppose significant assistance to Kyiv. This directly influences the decisions being made. Trump supporters also put obstacles in the way when a package of over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine was being considered," the political scientist continues.

Now, with Congress under Republican control, this issue has not yet been raised, but over time, it is expected that U.S. support may diminish, the expert believes. Depending on how the situation develops and whether Putin can reach a compromise, this may affect the volume of aid Ukraine receives from the U.S.

If Trump says he wants to end the war, he will do it by any means necessary.

According to the expert, Trump aims to win on the domestic political front by showing his citizens that he is an effective leader capable of fulfilling his promises, particularly regarding the end of the war in Ukraine. He wants to demonstrate to world leaders that he can achieve a peaceful resolution rather than just continuing the conflict that previous administrations dealt with.

Depending on how events unfold, support from the U.S. may decrease, and Ukraine could find itself under significant diplomatic pressure regarding the acceptance of negotiation terms that may be favorable to Russia. Trump may attempt to create a situation where the peace agreements are less stringent for Ukraine, trying to maintain positions for his political benefit.

"If a peace agreement is signed, it will likely mean concessions from Ukraine, possibly regarding territorial issues or military presence. However, it is difficult to predict the exact conditions, as Putin will insist on his demands regarding territory and Ukraine's political status.

Overall, the U.S. is indeed gradually moving away from a hardline anti-Russian policy, and this could complicate international support for Ukraine, particularly financial assistance, if Washington continues to avoid actions that might anger the Kremlin," Zhelikhovsky says.

Have U.S.-Ukrainian Relations Collapsed?

Political scientist Oleg Posternak emphasizes that the resolutions of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council have specific international consequences. The support of a particular country and its approaches to the resolutions indicates a change in the U.S. attitude toward understanding the Russian-Ukrainian war, its nature, and causes. According to the expert, given the statements, comments, and opinions expressed by Trump's transitional administration, it is clear that the U.S. is no longer a primary ally of Ukraine, particularly regarding security issues.

The United States is attempting to find a compromise between supporting Ukraine and the desire not to provoke Russia into escalation, which may be part of a pressure tactic on official Kyiv.

According to the political scientist, Ukraine is not important in this scenario. The U.S. is ready, through compromises with Russia, to create a peace plan that is most beneficial to Moscow, allowing for the establishment of new relations with the Kremlin.

"This, unfortunately, is the reality we must accept. Americans chose Trump, and he is fulfilling the promises made during the campaign, hinting at isolationism and a quick end to the war. This is part of his worldview, which he is actively implementing," the expert continues.

If Trump says he wants to end the war, he will do it by any means necessary. While European leaders are converging on Ukraine, indirect negotiations continue between the U.S. and Russia, the political scientist is confident. Working groups are continuing their work, and meetings within international organizations are merely symbolic stages.

"Negotiations are already underway between the U.S. and Russia on a peace plan for Ukraine, and Ukraine will not be included in these negotiations at any stage, and hopes for a meeting between Zelensky and Trump before his meeting with Putin are naive. This has already happened, and there is ongoing work to coordinate the plan.

The Office of the President of Ukraine is suffering significant reputational losses due to its inability to establish effective dialogue with the White House. The visit of Kelog is the maximum that can be hoped for at this moment, and it will not change the situation in the peace process," Posternak is convinced.

The question remains: should Ukraine accept the peace initiative or not? According to the political scientist, Volodymyr Zelensky still has a chance to intervene in this process, but this initiative will be part of the peace negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, where the U.S. will likely attempt to impose its approach, pressuring Ukraine, as is already evident in attacks on the president's rating and attempts to undermine his subjectivity.

"This is all part of a strategy aimed at getting Zelensky to accept Trump's peace plan, in accordance with Washington's interests in the geostrategic perspective," Posternak summarizes.

Let us recall that in the United States, upcoming meetings between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, are anticipated. Negotiations may take place in the coming days.

Also, on February 24, talks were held in the White House between the presidents of the United States and France. Among other things, Trump indicated that he sees "no problems" with sending European troops to Ukraine as "peacekeepers."