UN: 50 countries and the European Union call on Russia for a ceasefire. The United States does not join.
In New York, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, 50 countries and the European Union signed a joint declaration in support of Ukraine, calling on Russia to finally agree to a ceasefire.
The signatories express solidarity with Ukraine and deep concern regarding the escalation of Russian attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure across the country.
The declaration also recalls that Ukraine had already agreed to a comprehensive, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire in March 2025, and calls on Russia to do the same: "It is a necessary step toward constructive diplomacy and negotiations leading to peace."
The signatory countries also call on Russia to ensure the immediate return to Ukraine of all civilians who have been arbitrarily detained, forcibly transferred, or deportedāincluding childrenāas well as the full return of all prisoners of war and internees.
The declaration also expresses concern regarding attacks in the Black Sea and supports efforts to reach an agreement ensuring freedom of navigation.
The 50 signatory countries are:
Ukraine, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The European Union has also joined them.
The signatories thus include virtually all major European countries, along with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and other states.
The United States did not sign the declaration, even though Washington is playing a "mediating" role in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
The signatories' message is clear: Ukraine wants peace, but Russia must cease its aggression, agree to a ceasefire, and engage constructively in negotiations for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, in accordance with international law.
I have been saying this for two years, but I will never tire of repeating it: Donald Trump is Putinās political twin, held in check only by his countryās democratic institutions. Trumpism and its supporters are the equivalent of Putinism and its system of support. Trump backs ultra-conservative and post-fascist leaders around the world whoācoincidentallyāsupport Putinās regime.
In Trumpās eyes, the main "fault" of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people is their opposition to a regimeāPutināsāthat is viewed as ideologically aligned with the current US administration.
It is a matter of shared visions: an appeal to so-called "traditional values," selective moralism, and a readiness to cloak economic interests in ideological rhetoric.
What kind of document would you expect someone like that to sign?