China and Russia Stand Back: The Geopolitics of the Gaza Vote

The geopolitical undercurrents of the new UN resolution on Gaza were fully exposed on Monday, as China and Russia chose to stand back and let the United States take the lead—and the risk. By abstaining from the vote on the US-drafted plan, these two superpowers avoided obstructing a peace initiative while simultaneously registering their deep skepticism. Their decision allowed the resolution to pass, but it denied the US the legitimacy of a unanimous Security Council backing. It was a calculated move to let Washington own the “Board of Peace” and the potential quagmire of the “International Stabilization Force.”
Russia’s stance was particularly vocal. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya warned that the council was ceding “complete control” to the US, a critique that highlights Moscow’s fear of American unilateralism. However, Russia did not veto. This was likely due to the inclusion of the “pathway to statehood” clause, which the US inserted specifically to neutralize a Russian block. Moscow accepted the concession but refused to endorse the overall package, viewing the plan as a trap that relies on Israeli cooperation that does not exist.
China’s abstention reflects a similar caution. Beijing often prefers to avoid entanglements in the Middle East, and the US plan’s robust military mandate for disarmament is contrary to China’s non-interventionist rhetoric. By abstaining, China signals that it will not stand in the way of a solution, but it also won’t sign its name to a US-led project that Hamas has already rejected as “international guardianship.”
The US, conversely, is embracing its role as the sole hegemon in this crisis. President Trump called the vote “historic” and is ready to chair the reconstruction board. Ambassador Mike Waltz celebrated the passage as a victory for American leadership. The US interprets the abstentions as a successful navigation of great power politics, clearing the lane for them to implement the 20-point plan to “dismantle Hamas’ grip.”
However, the isolation is palpable. The US is advancing a plan rejected by Israel (on statehood) and Hamas (on disarmament), with the other major world powers watching from the sidelines. If the plan succeeds, the US takes all the credit. But if it fails—if the “prosperous and secure” Gaza never materializes—Russia and China can point to their abstentions and say they warned the world about ceding control to a flawed American vision.