UN vote: America sides with Russia
The United States has voted against a UN General Assembly resolution promoting cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe—an initiative supported by a wide majority of member states.
The resolution, largely technical in nature, aimed to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, with a focus on support for NGOs and a reaffirmation of the UN 2030 Agenda. Nine countries voted against it: the United States, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Niger, Mali, Eritrea, and Sudan. China and Iran abstained.
To explain the U.S. position, Jonathan Shrier, the acting U.S. representative to the UN Economic and Social Council, delivered a detailed and firm statement. His remarks were made public in full.
UN vote: America sides with Russia
Full statement by Jonathan Shrier:
“Thank you, Mr. President.
As an observer state to the Council of Europe, the United States appreciates the work of the Council of Europe in protecting and defending human rights, advancing democracy, and promoting the rule of law. We thank Lithuania and Luxembourg for their efforts on this resolution, including their willingness to accept certain changes to the text.
The maintenance of international peace and security—including the peaceful resolution of disputes—is the primary purpose for which the United Nations was created. This resolution repeats statements regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine that the United States sees as unhelpful to the cause of peace. We believe a lasting solution to the Russia-Ukraine war is of great importance to the Council of Europe and to the United States. We hope the Council of Europe and all UN member states will support efforts to achieve global, enduring peace in the region.
The United States also takes this opportunity to denounce the Global Compact on Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees. These compacts conflict not only with U.S. policy but with our commonsense responsibility to reduce—rather than facilitate—mass migration, which is arguably the most destabilizing challenge of this century. This unprecedented, global phenomenon undermines the rule of law and social cohesion, enriches criminal organizations, and encourages vulnerable people to risk their lives.
For too long, American communities have borne the cost of the failures embedded in these compacts. Under President Trump, that era ends. The United States is ready to lead the international community in creating new, effective migration standards—rooted in real respect, not lip service, for national sovereignty and the rule of law. Every country must have the authority to determine who enters its borders, and under what conditions.
As Vice President Vance noted in his remarks in Munich earlier this year, Europe faces serious challenges on this front. Governments have a duty to protect their citizens—and would-be migrants—from the growing consequences of a failed migration system.
Mr. President, we also remain concerned about this resolution’s reaffirmation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While expressed in neutral terms, the 2030 Agenda and SDGs promote a soft global governance agenda that is inconsistent with American sovereignty and contrary to the rights and interests of the American people. All countries should be cautious of such encroachments on sovereignty.
Finally, the resolution repeatedly references the defense of democracy and democratic principles. It is important not only to talk about democratic values but to live them. Some of the states supporting this text have silenced political parties they disagree with at home. These ideological differences should be settled at the ballot box, not in courtrooms. Excluding individuals from political processes is particularly troubling in light of the aggressive and corrupt lawfare campaign against President Trump in the United States. Such legal maneuvers have no place in democratic societies. We support the right of all people to express their opinions in the public square. Thank you.”
Donald Trump
A strategic alignment?
Beyond the rhetoric, the political alignment is striking: the U.S. vote against a resolution reiterating well-established principles—NGO support, Agenda 2030, and multilateral cooperation—put it squarely alongside Moscow. It’s a rare alignment within the UN framework, where Washington and Moscow almost never see eye to eye.
But this convergence may be less about substance and more about strategy. As the Trump administration seeks to revive credible negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, this vote could be a subtle diplomatic signal to reduce tensions and test a shift in Russia’s posture.
In that light, the U.S. decision might reflect an attempt to pave the way for a new phase in the Ukraine conflict, one where diplomacy returns to the forefront.
Read this article in Italian here.
UN vote: America sides with Russia
un, united states, russia, migration, ukraine