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UN Security Council Adopts Neutral US Stance on War in Ukraine

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council listen as Ambassador Dorothy Camille Shea, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States, speaks during a meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on February 24, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council listen as Ambassador Dorothy Camille Shea, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States, speaks during a meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on February 24, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP
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UN Security Council Adopts Neutral US Stance on War in Ukraine

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council listen as Ambassador Dorothy Camille Shea, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States, speaks during a meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on February 24, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council listen as Ambassador Dorothy Camille Shea, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States, speaks during a meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on February 24, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a US-drafted resolution on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that takes a neutral position on the conflict as US President Donald Trump seeks to broker an end to the war.
The short resolution reflects Trump's upending of US policy on Ukraine after taking office last month and his more conciliatory stance towards Russia, Reuters reported. In contrast, former president Joe Biden's administration led efforts at the United Nations to support Ukraine throughout the war.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia acknowledged "constructive changes" in the US position on the conflict. He told the council the resolution was "not an ideal one," but "a starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement."
The 15-member UN Security Council had been deadlocked throughout the war and unable to take any action because Russia holds a veto.
But the 193-member General Assembly has repeatedly supported Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter.
The US failed earlier on Monday to convince the General Assembly to pass the same three-paragraph resolution adopted by the Security Council.
The resolution mourns the loss of life in the "Russia-Ukraine conflict", reiterates the UN's purpose is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes, and urges a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace.
Security Council resolutions are considered binding, while General Assembly resolutions are not. However, General Assembly resolutions carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war.
The Security Council adopted the US resolution with 10 votes in favor, while France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia abstained. Russia voted in favor after failing to amend it and vetoing European bids to add language supporting Ukraine.
"This resolution puts us on the path to peace. It is a first step, but a crucial one – one of which we should all be proud," acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council. "Now we must use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia and the international community."

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World

Pope Renews Appeal for Peace in Middle East

Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where Catholic faithful and pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing at the end of the noon Angelus prayer, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP)
Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where Catholic faithful and pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing at the end of the noon Angelus prayer, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP)
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Pope Renews Appeal for Peace in Middle East

Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where Catholic faithful and pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing at the end of the noon Angelus prayer, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP)
Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where Catholic faithful and pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing at the end of the noon Angelus prayer, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP)

Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and reopening of dialogue.

"Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have suffered the atrocious violence of war," the US pontiff said at his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican.

"Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes.

"I renew my closeness to all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that have hit schools, hospitals, and residential areas."

Leo said the situation in Lebanon was a particular cause for concern.

"On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict," he said in Italian.

"Cease fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened!

"Violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace that people await."

World

Israel Approves Emergency Military Funding as Iran War Rages

Israeli security forces check the damage to cars after a rocket strike in Holon, in the Tel Aviv District on March 15, 2026. (AFP)
Israeli security forces check the damage to cars after a rocket strike in Holon, in the Tel Aviv District on March 15, 2026. (AFP)
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Israel Approves Emergency Military Funding as Iran War Rages

Israeli security forces check the damage to cars after a rocket strike in Holon, in the Tel Aviv District on March 15, 2026. (AFP)
Israeli security forces check the damage to cars after a rocket strike in Holon, in the Tel Aviv District on March 15, 2026. (AFP)

Israel has approved an $827-million emergency budget allocation for military purchases, Israeli media reported Sunday, as the war with Iran entered its third week.

The 2.6-billion-shekel package was approved over the weekend by cabinet ministers during a telephone meeting, the daily Haaretz reported.

It will be used for "security purchases" and to address "urgent needs", it said, without providing further details.

A finance ministry document circulated to all ministers and reported by several media outlets, including Channel 12, said that "given the intensity of the fighting" the additional budget allocation was necessary.

"An urgent and immediate need has arisen to provide an operational response, including the acquisition of munitions, the procurement of advanced weapons systems and the replenishment of critical combat stocks," the document said.

The document added that the move constituted "an exceptional emergency decision intended solely to address needs arising from the conduct of the fighting".

The funds will be drawn from the state budget, totaling $222 billion and approved by the government on March 12, and expected to be adopted by the Knesset by March 31, according to the reports.

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet officially commented on the measure or specified what purchases the funds will cover.

Since the Israeli-US bombardments against Iran that began on February 28, Israel has been targeted daily by Iranian ballistic missile fire, which the military has mostly intercepted using its missile defense systems.

According to Haaretz, citing security officials, 250 ballistic missiles had been fired by Iran at Israel as of March 13.

Twelve people have been killed in Israel by missiles or falling debris since the start of the war, according to an AFP tally of figures given by Israeli authorities and first responders.

World

UK Says Vital to 'De-escalate' Middle East War

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait, in the Strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait, in the Strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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UK Says Vital to 'De-escalate' Middle East War

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait, in the Strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait, in the Strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A British minister on Sunday said it was essential to calm the situation in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump demanded that other nations help protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 

The "plan now has to be to de-escalate the conflict", Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC. 

"We are talking to our allies. There are different ways in which we can make maritime shipping possible. We are intensively looking with our allies at what can be done, because it's so important that we get the strait reopened," he added, speaking to Sky News. 

A spokesperson for the defense ministry said late on Saturday: "As we've said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region."