New Delhi (ABC Live): The West prides itself on upholding sovereignty and international law. Yet, its contrasting approaches to Ukraine and Palestine expose selective principles. On Ukraine, the United States, the UK, and the European Union are united: billions in aid, sweeping sanctions, and NATO expansion underscore their resolve. On Palestine, the U.S. continues to veto recognition at the UN Security Council, while European allies are now breaking ranks — the UK, France, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco have all formally recognised Palestine in September 2025, joining Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden. This divergence reflects a structural transatlantic divide: Washington prioritises strategic alliances, while Europe increasingly leans on moral diplomacy and public opinion pressure.

Part I — Ukraine: Principle and Hard Security Intertwined

• The United States has committed more than $170 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2022.
• The EU has provided over €90 billion, combining financial assistance with arms shipments.
• Western sanctions froze $300 billion of Russian central bank reserves and capped Russian oil exports at $60 per barrel.
• Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) joined NATO, extending the alliance’s frontier with Russia.
• At the UNGA in March 2022, 141 countries voted to condemn Russia’s invasion.

?? Narration: In Ukraine, principle (sovereignty) aligns with hard security. For Washington, Moscow is a strategic rival; for Europe, Russia is an existential threat.

Part II — Palestine: Principle Meets Realpolitik

• The U.S. has cast 45+ vetoes on Palestine-related UNSC resolutions since 1972, including blocking Palestinian UN membership in April 2024.
• Europe’s recognition path:

  • 1988–89: Eastern bloc countries (Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria) recognised Palestine.

  • 2014: Sweden became the first Western EU member to recognise Palestine.

  • 2024: Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognised Palestine after the Gaza war.

  • Sept 2025 (UNGA-80):

• UK (Sept 21) formally recognised Palestine.
• France (Sept 22) announced recognition at the UN.
• Portugal (Sept 21) followed with formal recognition.
• Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco (Sept 22) also recognised Palestine, though Belgium added conditions (Hamas exclusion, hostage release).

?? Narration: In Palestine, principle (self-determination) collides with geopolitics. Washington cannot abandon Israel, while Europe increasingly sees recognition as a moral necessity and diplomatic rebalancing tool.

Part III — Ukraine vs Palestine: The Global South’s Verdict

• Ukraine: The West defends sovereignty as absolute, mobilising resources and diplomacy.
• Palestine: Sovereignty is diluted by U.S. vetoes and domestic political constraints.
• Global South: Over 130 countries already recognise Palestine, reinforcing the view that the West applies international law selectively.
• Russia and China: Exploit the double standard to argue that Western “rules” are instrumental, not universal.

?? Narration: For the Global South, Ukraine is seen as Europe’s war, Palestine as a universal injustice. Western selectivity undermines its outreach to non-Western blocs.

Part IV — Europe’s Internal Dynamics

1. Humanitarian outrage: Tens of thousands of civilians killed in Gaza since 2023 hardened European public opinion.
2. Diplomatic rebalancing: Recognition framed as necessary to keep the two-state solution alive.
3. Peer effect: Once the UK and France recognised Palestine, other EU members quickly followed.

?? Narration: The EU’s fragmentation is narrowing; Germany and Italy hold out, but the trend points toward majority recognition.

Part V — Side-by-Side Table on Ukraine vs Palestine

Conclusion on Ukraine vs Palestine

The divergence between Ukraine and Palestine reflects the limits of Western universality. In Ukraine, principle and security converge, producing unity. In Palestine, principle collides with alliances, producing division. The UK and France’s 2025 recognitions mark a historic rupture with the U.S. position, yet without Washington’s support, recognition remains largely symbolic.

For the Global South, the message is clear: Western principles are conditional, not universal. Unless Washington reconciles principle with practice, the West’s moral authority will remain contested.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Defence – U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine
2. European Commission – EU financial and military support to Ukraine
3. Reuters – Russia central bank assets frozen
4. Council of the EU – EU oil price cap on Russia
5. NATO – Sweden joins NATO
6. UN News – UNGA condemns Russia’s invasion
7. UN Documentation – Security Council veto list
8. Al Jazeera – U.S. vetoes Palestine UN bid
9. BBC – Sweden recognises Palestine
10. Reuters – Spain, Ireland, Norway recognise Palestine
11. Al Jazeera – Countries recognising Palestine 2025
12. AP News – France recognises Palestine
13. Reuters – Portugal recognises Palestine
14. Le Monde – Map of countries recognising Palestine
15. Times of Israel – Belgium’s conditional recognition
16. UNISPAL – List of countries recognising Palestine
17. Guardian – Gaza war civilian deaths pressure Europe
18. CGTN – China accuses U.S. of double standards

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