The United States is refraining from co-sponsoring a United Nations resolution marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to diplomatic sources.

The UN vote, seen as a key measure of global support for Ukraine, can proceed without U.S. backing but may struggle to gain broader endorsement in the General Assembly.

The Financial Times also reported that the U.S. opposed directly calling Russia the “aggressor” in a G7 statement marking the invasion's anniversary. This is the first time the U.S. has resisted such language, signaling a notable shift in its diplomatic approach.

These reports coincide with ongoing diplomatic outreach by the Trump administration to Russia, raising concerns about potential policy changes regarding U.S. support for Ukraine.

On Feb. 18, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a delegation to Saudi Arabia for direct talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This engagement comes as former President Donald Trump has made a series of controversial statements regarding Ukraine.

Trump has referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator” and falsely claimed that Ukraine has refused to hold elections. His statements overlook the fact that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Additionally, Trump has suggested that Ukraine should repay the U.S. for its military aid through a deal involving the country’s natural resources. He claimed—without providing evidence—that Kyiv had “essentially agreed” to a $500 billion deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed these claims on Feb. 19, stating that Ukraine’s wartime military expenses have totaled $320 billion. He noted that the U.S. and EU have provided a combined $200 billion in defense support, while Ukraine has covered $120 billion itself.

“We, the people of Ukraine, (covered) $120 billion, the U.S. and the EU — $200 billion. We are talking about arms; this is a weapons package worth $320 billion,” Zelensky said in Kyiv.

Trump’s recent remarks and the U.S.’s decision not to co-sponsor the UN resolution have raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about Washington’s shifting stance on the war. The developments suggest a potential recalibration of U.S. policy towards Ukraine and its conflict with Russia, adding uncertainty to the international response to the ongoing war. (ILKHA)