KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau voted against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine last week, marking a sharp reversal from its previous positions.
The nonbinding resolution, which denounced Russia’s actions, received 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions.
Palau was among 18 nations opposing the resolution, aligning itself with the United States, Russia, North Korea, the Marshall Islands, Haiti, Israel, Hungary, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Syria, Eritrea, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Niger, Sudan, and Nicaragua.
The vote marks a stark shift from Palau’s previous stance. In similar U.N. resolutions in 2022 and 2023, Palau had joined the overwhelming global majority in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, for example, 141 countries supported the resolution, with only six voting against it.
Palau’s ambassador to the U.N., Ilana Seid, said the decision followed consultations with the United States and the European Union.
She explained that the U.S. is working to broker a peace deal, as previous resolutions using the same language have failed to make progress in ending the war.
The decision has sparked confusion and criticism among Palauans, many of whom have followed the war closely.
“Palau has lost its moral clarity,” one observer said. Social media reactions have questioned the move, with some even debating the implications for Palau’s sovereignty.
Palau has historically voted in alignment with the United States on most U.N. resolutions, often facing criticism for its steadfast support. However, its latest vote — a complete turnaround on an issue it backed just three years ago — has left many searching for answers.
