U.S. and Russia clash over Ukraine at UN

The U.S. and Russia have accused each other of "whipping up tensions" over Ukraine at the U.N.

Thomas-Greenfield says Russia's increasing troop number near the Ukrainian border, near over 100,000, is the "largest mobilization of troops in Europe for decades." He also says that Russian disinformation and cyberattacks have spiked since the beginning of the year.

Russia lost its bid to block the meeting, which contributed to the harsh exchanges among the Security Council members. While the U.N.'s most powerful body declined to intervene in the Ukraine crisis, it was the first open session where all protagonists spoke publicly.

The West has accused Moscow of preparing for an invasion despite more high-level diplomacy this week. So far, no progress has been made in easing tensions in the crisis. Russia has denied any intention to invade.NATO must stop deploying weapons near Russian borders, pledge Ukraine will never join NATO and withdraw its forces from Eastern Europe. Those demands are seen as nonstarters by NATO and the U.S.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Biden administration officials of escalating tensions and rhetoric.

He then looked at Thomas-Greenfield and commented, “You are almost pulling for this,” He continued, “You wish that would happen. You wait for it to happen as if you were wanting your words to become reality."

As a result of U.S. intervention, he stated, a Kremlin-friendly president in Kyiv was overthrown in 2014, and "nationalism, radicalism, Russophobia, and pure nazism" gained power, resulting in the tension between Ukraine and Russia.

As soon as Ukraine Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya began to speak, Nebenzia stepped out of the council chamber. “How long will Russia continue to pressure Ukraine and its partners into a Kafka-type situation?”

Kyslytsva questioned.

In favor of an open meeting, Russia and China voted no, while India, Gabon, and Kenya abstained.A majority of nine votes was necessary to hold the open meeting.

U.S. and allies pushed for the meeting to be held Monday, which is Norway's final day as the council's rotating chair before Russia takes over Tuesday. Russia's veto power and ties with other members on the council, including China, make any statement or Resolution by the Security Council highly unlikely.

CTM News

31 Jan 2022