U.S. pushes UN resolution on Russia-Ukraine war that omits mention of Moscow’s aggression
Published: 25 Feb. 2025, 11:47
![U.S. President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference in the East Room to the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24. [POOL/AFP/YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2025/02/25/dc1cc1de-2cd1-4724-a5ad-0f899ddcc7d9.jpg)
U.S. President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference in the East Room to the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24. [POOL/AFP/YONHAP]
In a dramatic shift in trans-Atlantic relations under President Donald Trump, the United States split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three UN resolutions Monday seeking an end to the three-year war.
In the UN General Assembly, the United States voted against a resolution that called out Russia, demanding it withdraw troops from Ukraine. The United States then pushed for a Security Council resolution that acknowledged “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” but never mentioned Moscow’s aggression.
The voting took place as Trump hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given.
On Friday, Trump abruptly fired the chair, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, and the vice chief of the Air Force, Gen. James C. Slife. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement. The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles L. Plummer, were fired.
The White House is claiming “victory” after a federal judge refused to immediately order the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to presidential events.
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The Trump administration double fired probationary employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development on Monday, sending multiple probationary staffers notice of their summary terminations less than a day after telling them their posts were being eliminated in coming months, according to a senior USAID official.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of a Trump administration gag order on the agency’s work force.
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AP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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