The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new resolution aimed at strengthening international cooperation and mitigating the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. The document, drafted by Ukraine, secured the support of 97 UN member states. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the United States was among the nations voting against the resolution, joining Russia, Belarus, China, North Korea, Nicaragua, and Niger.
Another 39 states abstained. The vote took place as Ukraine navigates one of the most difficult periods in its modern history, striving to defend its national interests amid negotiations with the United States regarding potential parameters for ending Russian aggression. It is worth noting that a previous 28-point peace plan, developed by Steve Witkoff with input from several Russian officials, sparked a sharp backlash in both Kyiv and European capitals.
In response, Ukraine and its partners developed alternative proposals, which were subsequently presented to the American delegation.
The latest round of talks took place in Berlin. The results of the meeting, opened on Sunday by German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, remain unclear. Nevertheless, statements from participants offer grounds for cautious optimism.
One of the most intractable issues remains the future of Ukrainian territories currently under Russian occupation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a partial withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian troops from specific areas of the Donbas and the creation of a demilitarized "free economic zone" where American business interests could operate.
The Ukrainian side and European leaders insist that any progress on territorial issues is contingent upon the United States and a coalition of Western partners providing Ukraine with clear, reliable security guarantees—comparable in substance to Article 5 of the NATO Charter.
NATO Membership
President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled readiness to compromise by refraining from pursuing immediate NATO membership for Ukraine, provided a special, legally binding agreement on collective defense is concluded.
Kyiv views this approach as a balance between political realities and the necessity for robust security guarantees.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that he sees no genuine readiness on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in meaningful peace negotiations at this stage.
At the same time, he described the visit of American mediators to Berlin as a positive step.
President Zelensky termed the demand a "red line"
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the American side insisted that Ukraine agree to relinquish the Donbas.
President Zelensky termed such a requirement a "red line" and confirmed he is not prepared to make such concessions.
He also emphasized that Ukraine currently lacks a direct dialogue with Russia, noting that its interests are effectively being represented by American mediators.
A scheduled online meeting between EU foreign ministers and the heads of the U.S. delegation failed to take place due to unexpected technical glitches, the causes of which remain unknown.
The Future of Frozen Russian Assets
The European Union will have additional opportunities to coordinate its next steps in the coming days.
On Tuesday, EU foreign ministers in Brussels will continue discussing the agenda for the summit scheduled for Thursday.
On Wednesday, leaders of Europe's "Eastern Flank," including the Baltic states and Poland, will meet in Helsinki.
A decision regarding the future of frozen Russian assets is expected
On Thursday, all 27 EU leaders will gather in Brussels for a summit that could prove to be one of the most significant in recent years.
A decision is expected regarding the future of frozen Russian assets—a move that will be decisive both for Ukraine's future and for the European Union's role as a global political player.
The Russo-American Rapprochement
The new U.S. National Security Strategy effectively lays the groundwork for a Russo-American partnership, which has already begun to manifest in practical steps.
Washington's support for Moscow's position during the UN vote on the Chernobyl issue served as the first signal of this shift in a multilateral context.
The United States found itself siding with nations frequently criticized for authoritarian tendencies, a fact that elicited no public concern from the White House.
Meanwhile, the rhetoric of the U.S. leadership increasingly portrays Europe as weak and secondary.
Experts estimate that the Russo-American rapprochement began to gain momentum following the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The agreements reached there are already yielding tangible results: Moscow is not actively opposing Washington's actions in Venezuela, while the U.S. President increasingly and publicly sides with Russia's position regarding ending the war in Ukraine.
In 2025, the new U.S. administration significantly curtailed military and financial aid to Kyiv—a deficit Europe has so far been unable to fully bridge. This has already begun to impact the situation along the front line.
Over the years of full-scale war, Ukraine has inflicted significant losses on Russia in terms of human resources and equipment, demonstrating a high level of efficiency in utilizing international aid.
In this context, the suspension of U.S. support cannot be interpreted merely as an end to "unlimited funding," as is sometimes portrayed in American political discourse.
It cannot be ruled out that Washington seeks to pressure Ukraine into ceding part of its occupied territories as quickly as possible to establish the first international precedent of this kind.
If a founding member of the United Nations is forced under external pressure to cede part of its territory, this could subsequently be used to justify similar outcomes in conflicts elsewhere in the world.
Notably, Denmark has already stated that its national security faces potential threats from the United States.
