The 193-member UN General Assembly convened to vote on a resolution titled Advancing a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine, tabled by Ukraine and its European allies. The result?

• 93 countries supported the resolution.

• 18 voted against it (including Russia, North Korea, and Belarus).

• 65 abstained, including India.

But the real shocker was the US not just voting against the European-backed Ukrainian resolution but also refusing to blame Russia outright for the invasion.

What’s Behind the US Flip-Flop?

The shift in stance comes as President Donald Trump, known for his unconventional approach to diplomacy, is negotiating directly with Russia to end the war. Reports suggest that Trump’s team met with Russian officials in Riyadh, and the US didn’t want to interfere with its own peace initiative by condemning Moscow too harshly.

When a competing US-drafted resolution (which conveniently ignored Russia’s role in the war) was put forward, France led the charge to amend it. Their changes made it clear that the conflict was a result of Russia’s “full-scale invasion,” reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty, and demanded a peace deal in line with the UN Charter. The US, unhappy with the edits, ultimately abstained from voting on its own resolution.

• In Favor of Ukraine’s Resolution (93 nations)

• Against (18 nations) – Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Sudan, AND US of A.

• Abstained (65 nations) – India, China, and a mix of nations 

Meanwhile, a Russian-backed amendment calling for an examination of the “root causes” of the war (code for: let’s blame NATO) failed miserably, getting only 31 votes in favor, with 71 against and 59 abstentions.

India’s decision to abstain is no shocker. It has consistently walked the tightrope between Russia and the West, calling for “dialogue and diplomacy” while maintaining strong ties with Moscow. With Trump openly calling the war “senseless” and Russia indicating that it’s open to negotiations, the US seems more interested in looking forward than punishing Moscow for past actions. Europe, on the other hand, is not having it and is sticking to its hardline stance.

For now, India will continue doing what it does best—advocating for peace while keeping its strategic alliances intact. As for the US, this sudden change of heart may not sit well with its European allies.