United Nations — The United States accused Russia, on Monday, of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” on a recent scale Four years’ war In Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to push negotiations towards peace.
Deputy US Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russia’s launch of an Oreshnik ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads last week near Ukraine’s border with Poland, a member of NATO.
She told an emergency Security Council meeting that the United States regrets the “staggering number of casualties” in the conflict and condemns Russia’s intensified attacks on energy and other infrastructure.
Ukraine called for the meeting after the Russian bombing last Thursday night with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including powerful missiles. The new Oreshnik hypersonic missileWhich Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kiev’s NATO allies.
The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies I reported significant progress Toward agreement on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is reached.
The attack also coincided with A new cooling in relations between Moscow and Washington After Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean. This was stated by US President Donald Trump He indicated that he was on board With a harsh sanctions package aimed at crippling Russia economically.
Moscow has given no public indication that it is prepared to back down from its extreme demands on Ukraine. Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine.
European leaders condemned the Oreshnik missile attack, describing it as “escalatory and unacceptable,” and US envoy Bruce was equally harsh on Monday.
“At a moment of enormous potential, due to President Trump’s unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides must look for ways to de-escalate,” she said. “However, the Russian move threatens to expand and intensify the war.”
Bruce reminded Russia that it voted almost a year ago in favor of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
She added: “It would be great if Russia met its words with action.” He added: “In the spirit of this resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must seriously pursue peace and put an end to this nightmare.”
But Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “comes to his senses and agrees to realistic terms for negotiations, we will continue with it.” Solve the problem through military means“.
“He has been warned for a long time, and with every day that passes, and every day he wastes, the conditions for negotiations will get worse for him,” Nebenzia said. “Likewise, every despicable attack on Russian civilians will provoke a harsh response.”
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk responded that Russia was more vulnerable now than at any time since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The economy is slowing down Oil revenues fell.
He told the Council: “Russia wants to sell to this Council and the entire UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion.” “The carefully crafted image of power is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely disconnected from reality.”