Russia and China backed the measure, while France and the UK abstained after reportedly attempting to delay the vote

The United Nations Security Council has approved a US-drafted resolution calling for a "swift end" to the conflict in Ukraine, with both Washington and Moscow describing the move as a significant step toward peace.

The 15-member council adopted the resolution on Monday in a 10-0 vote, with five countries abstaining. The final text excluded strong language against Moscow, despite efforts by France, the UK, Denmark, and Slovenia to include it.

Russia's representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, welcomed the resolution, emphasizing that Moscow views it as a foundation for further peace efforts. He acknowledged constructive shifts in the US position on the Ukraine conflict and described the resolution as the first attempt to introduce a forward-looking, pragmatic UN Security Council document.

However, Nebenzia expressed disappointment that Russia's proposed amendments - modest yet crucial for an "accurate" assessment of the crisis - were not accepted. He criticized European delegations for what he described as an attempt to sabotage emerging positive developments. While neither France nor the UK vetoed the measure, both nations abstained from the vote after unsuccessful attempts to delay the final decision.

"They attempted to flood the text with unbalanced, politicized statements that do nothing to bring peace closer but instead aim to derail any prospects for resolution," he said. Nebenzia accused European countries of being the only international actors actively pushing for the continuation of hostilities and resisting realistic peace initiatives.

Despite its imperfections, Nebenzia stated that the resolution offers a glimpse of constructive cooperation between key global players on European and international security, providing cautious optimism. However, he warned against overconfidence, asserting that the "party of war," represented by Kiev and its European backers, remains determined to distort and obstruct diplomatic efforts.

"We call on all those who truly seek sustainable peace in Ukraine not to allow the expired Kiev prince and his puppeteers to derail the efforts being undertaken by Russia and the United States," Nebenzia urged.

US representative Dorothy Shea hailed the resolution's passage as a crucial step toward peace. "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," she said. "Now we must use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community."