**US Breaks With Western Allies Over WTO Statement**
The United States did not sign a statement by members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) condemning Russian aggression. This move is unusual because most countries, including Ukraine, agreed to the statement.
A US official said the decision was made in line with previous statements at the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The US has been trying to soften its language on Russia in international agreements.
This change in tone follows a similar vote at the UN General Assembly last week. There, the US voted against a resolution condemning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 93 countries supported the resolution, while 18 opposed it.
The US also abstained from voting on a separate resolution marking the third anniversary of the invasion. This resolution avoided calling Russia the aggressor and was supported by 93 countries.
**Shift in US Language**
This change in tone is not limited to one event. The Financial Times reported that the US opposed a G7 statement referring to Russia as the aggressor. Instead, the US pushed for a more neutral language.
US President Donald Trump has been trying to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. However, his rhetoric towards Ukraine has become increasingly hostile. He recently called Ukraine’s president a “dictator” and falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war.
**Business as Usual**
Despite this rift, Ukraine and the US have agreed on a mineral deal agreement. The Ukrainian president is set to sign the agreement in Washington on February 28.