"Tension Blamed on US" vs "Pretext for Invasion"... Russia and US Clash at UN

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States and Russia engaged in a heated debate over the Ukraine situation during an open meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The meeting held on the 31st (local time) at the UN Headquarters in New York was the first open UNSC meeting convened since tensions escalated at the Ukraine border.

Russia refused to participate in the meeting convened by the United States. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's ambassador to the UN, stated during a procedural speech, "By convening this open UNSC meeting, the United States is causing collective agitation in the international community and fueling tensions."

However, in the vote to suspend the meeting requested by Russia, only China besides Russia voted in favor.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, countered that Russia has deployed over 100,000 troops at the Ukraine border and is using threatening rhetoric similar to that during the 2014 armed annexation of Crimea.

She added, "Russia is attempting to create an image that Ukraine and the West are the ones escalating tensions without any basis," and pointed out, "This appears to be an attempt to fabricate a pretext for invading Ukraine."

Ambassador Nebenzya responded, "Russia has no intention of attacking Ukraine," and rather claimed, "There is a possibility that Ukraine might attack Russia, and the use of force will not be tolerated." He argued that if armed conflict occurs at the border, Ukraine would be responsible.

He also claimed that the 2014 overthrow of the pro-Russian government due to anti-government protests in Ukraine was the fault of the United States.

He criticized the current Ukrainian government as "nationalistic and anti-Russian Nazis." When the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN attempted to speak, Ambassador Nebenzya stood up and left the room.

The Security Council adjourned after two hours without reaching a consensus on the Ukraine situation.

After the meeting, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield told reporters, "Russia did not provide the answers the international community wanted."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.