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are seen in the night sky as Ukrainian servicemen fire at the drone
during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv,
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US proposes rival UN action on Ukraine, pitting it against Europe
UNITED
NATIONS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. on Friday proposed a draft United
Nations resolution to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
and the proposal pits Washington against an effort by Kyiv and European
allies to have their own text adopted on Monday by the General
Assembly.
U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a bid to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, sparking a rift
with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and raising concerns among
European allies that Kyiv and Europe could be cut out of peace talks.
The
brief three-paragraph U.S. draft resolution, seen by Reuters, mourns
the loss of life during the "Russia-Ukraine conflict" and reiterates
"that the principal purpose of the United Nations is to maintain
international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes."
It also "implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
Russia
has proposed an amendment, seen by Reuters, to that line so it reads
"implores a swift end to the conflict, including by addressing its root
causes, and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
Russia
U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described the U.S. draft as a "good
move." A Russian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said if
Russia's amendment was adopted by the General Assembly then Moscow would
vote in favor of the U.S. resolution.
Nebenzia said he had been briefed by the U.S. before the draft was circulated to the 193-member General Assembly.
The
General Assembly is already set to meet on Monday to vote on the text
drafted by Ukraine and the European Union, which calls for
de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution
in line with the founding U.N. Charter and international law.
EU ambassadors at the United Nations will meet later on Friday to discuss the U.S. move, diplomats said.
Ukraine
and the EU have been negotiating with U.N. member states for the past
month. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political
weight, reflecting a global view on the war. No country holds a veto in
the assembly.
The
Ukrainian and EU text, seen by Reuters, "reiterates the urgent need to
end the war this year, and to redouble diplomatic efforts to reduce the
risks of further escalation and achieve a comprehensive, just and
lasting peace in Ukraine."
The
language in that resolution appears slightly toned down from previous
action by the General Assembly. It takes a less direct approach in its
criticism of Russia by simply referencing "the aggression."
This
compares to a resolution adopted shortly after the war began - with 141
votes in favor - that deplored "in the strongest terms the aggression
by the Russian Federation."
The
Ukrainian and EU text asserts the need for the implementation of
previous U.N. resolutions that demanded Russia withdraw its troops from
Ukraine's internationally recognized territory, and insisted that Moscow
halt hostilities.
The
General Assembly adopted six resolutions on the conflict in its first
year, denouncing Moscow and demanding Russia withdraw all its troops. A
resolution in October 2022, which condemned Russia's "attempted illegal
annexation" of four regions in Ukraine, won the greatest support with
143 states voting yes.
Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Nia Williams and David Gregorio