The increasingly multipolar world order is empowering some African countries to maintain a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, despite pressure from the United States and its allies to condemn Russia. And with limited repercussions from the West, these nations will likely be free to continue prioritizing pragmatism over ideological alliances in their response to the ongoing conflict. 28 African countries supported the U.N. resolution on March 2 condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 17 African states, however, abstained while eight other countries were absent from the vote. During a March 31 press conference, U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Jessica Lapenn said that the United States was looking for strong African responses to Russian aggression, and specifically welcomed the opportunity to work with Senegal, one of the African countries that voted in favor of the U.N. resolution. Lapenn's remarks align with the U.S. and Western European position that African...
