A pivotal moment is approaching at the United Nations as two significant resolutions are set for a vote on Monday—one drafted by the United States, and the other by Ukraine with backing from the European Union. Both resolutions call for an urgent end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, signaling a crucial step towards international diplomatic efforts to restore peace.

The U.N. General Assembly is primed to vote first on the Ukrainian resolution, which advocates for immediate de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Following that, the U.S. resolution will take center stage, with the U.N. Security Council expected to deliberate on the U.S. measure later in the day, further amplifying the global call for peace.

The U.S. resolution emphasizes the necessity of “a swift end to the conflict and urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.” However, it notably omits any direct mention of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which commemorates three years of turmoil this very day.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the resolutions, stating that they will “assert the gravity of this conflict, affirm the U.N.’s potential to mediate, and underscore that peace is attainable.” He highlighted this moment as an unparalleled chance to foster substantial progress towards a peaceful resolution.

The Ukrainian resolution, however, offers a sharper critique, declaring the Russian invasion as a three-year plight with “devastating and long-lasting consequences” not just for Ukraine, but for regional and global stability. It demands “a de-escalation, a prompt cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war” while pressing for the urgent conclusion of the conflict this year.

This resolution also calls for the full implementation of previous General Assembly resolutions, which stress Russia’s obligation to withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Although General Assembly resolutions bear no legal weight, they resonate with the moral authority of the international community.

At the Security Council, garnering at least nine votes from the 15-member body is crucial for any resolution to pass, with the stipulation that none of the five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, or the United States—exercise their veto power. The U.S. resolution appears to be poised for sufficient support as the day unfolds.

The upcoming votes coincide with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the United States for crucial discussions with President Donald Trump. Macron has made it clear that he intends to convey that the U.S. cannot show weakness against Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for strong leadership in these trying times.

Adding to the diplomatic momentum, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit Washington later this week, aligning with Macron’s sentiments on maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty at the heart of any peace initiative. In a show of solidarity, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa visited Kyiv on Monday, reinforcing the message that “in this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake; it’s Europe’s destiny, too.”

Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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