Republican senator slams US decision to join Russia in vote against UN resolution

WASHINGTON

A Republican senator criticized a decision by the US on Monday to join Russia in voting against a UN resolution condemning Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

"I was deeply troubled by the vote at the UN today which put us on the same side as Russia and North Korea. These are not our friends,” John Curtis said on X.

"This posture is a dramatic shift from American ideals of freedom and democracy," he added.

His remarks came after the UN General Assembly followed by the Security Council adopted three resolutions in total, with strong calls to end the war in Ukraine and strong disagreement over how best to achieve it.

The US resolution passed by the Security Council makes no reference to Russia's aggression, but in mourning the loss of life, reiterating the values of the UN Charter and imploring a "swift end to the conflict."

"We all want an end to the war, but it must be achieved on terms that ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security and that deter (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from pursuing further territorial ambitions," Curtis said.

Democrats and some Republicans, including former Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, accused President Donald Trump of cozying up to Putin while blaming his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for starting the war with Russia and calling him "a dictator."