This was after world leaders had condemned the proposal’s scope and language. Russia did not mention Ukraine’s attack and it did not respond to the General Assembly resolution calling for Russian forces to leave.
The U.S. and U.K., France and other countries had all voiced their opposition to Russia’s resolution. On Thursday, the ambassador of Albania called it a “mockery”.
Instead, Russia’s Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday that Russia would host a meeting of Council to discuss “new evidence” of U.S. support for chemical and biological laboratories in Ukraine. These allegations have been categorically denied by the U.S., who warned that such rhetoric could indicate that Russia intends to use these types of weapons in Ukraine.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield (the U.N envoy for Biden) celebrated the decision to not vote on what she called “a farcical humanitarian resolution that was doomed to failure.” Thomas-Greenfield stated that Russia’s decision not to vote on the humanitarian crisis does not indicate its commitment to it.
She stated that Russia could stop its attacks against the Ukrainian people if it truly cared about the humanitarian crisis it had created. “But they want to call another Security Council meeting to use the Council as a venue to disinformation and promote their propaganda.”
Ferit Hoxha, the Ambassador of Albania, stated that Russia will attempt to present its narrative during Friday’s meeting. We’ll establish facts.
CBS News asked Hoxha if he believed the meeting would serve as a pretext to Russia using chemical weapons. Hoxha responded, “I hope so.” But that is the fear.
After U.N. agencies shared detailed accounts of what many Council members called “war crimes” that deliberately targeted civilians, the Russian ambassador made these remarks.
Thomas-Greenfield promised that Russia would be held responsible for its atrocities.
Thomas-Greenfield stated that there is only one solution – the one and only way to end this madness. “President Putin, Stop the killings. Your forces must be withdrawn. You must leave Ukraine immediately.
Thomas-Greenfield, a witness to the meeting, described reports about a mass grave located in Mariupol’s southern port. She described it as “a narrow trench filled full of the bodies of children.”
Monday’s aerial footage showed the once-thriving city in ruin, with charred buildings and reports that more than 2000 civilians were killed.
Thomas-Greenfield condemned Russia’s offensive for weeks, and told diplomats that Ukraine will never be a victory of Putin, regardless of his advances, or who he kills, or how many cities he destroys.
Ukrainian officials claimed that Russia attacked and destroyed a Mariupol theater marked with “children” in large Russian letters. This was where “hundreds of civilians” were sheltering. It is possible that many of the victims who were in the bomb shelter at the theater survived.
Russia’s Ambassador to the U.N. denied Russia was responsible for the attack on the theater at the Thursday meeting.
China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun demanded a re-up of support for a diplomatic resolution, but made it clear China was opposed to the U.S. sanctions on the Russian Federation, and Russian nationals. He warned that these sanctions could have “new humanitarian consequences.”
Zhang stated that ever-escalating Sanctions are undermining stability in the international industrial chain. This is due to the slow recovery of the global economy. It also causes food and energy crises and damages people’s lives in all countries, including developing countries.
However, despite widespread hopes for a diplomatic resolution, U.N. officials stated that civilians continue to be attacked and aid delivery is being blocked.
“Daily attacks continue in Ukraine to attack cities. Many are reportedly indiscriminate, resulting in civilian casualties,” Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Council. According to DiCarlo, the U.N. Development agency projects that 90% of Ukraine’s population will be in poverty or extremely vulnerable if the war continues, which would set the country and region back decades and leave deep socio-economic scars.
The Security Council heard Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization, tell that his agency had “verified 43 attacks” against health care facilities.
He stated that the war in Ukraine was having “devastating consequences for Ukraine’s health, consequences which will reverberate over years or decades.”
Ghebreyesus stated that the fighting prevented some critically-needed medical supplies from being delivered. Ghebreyesus stated that the WHO had sent around 100 metric tons of medical supplies including insulin, oxygen, surgical supplies and blood transfusion kits. However, the WHO still faces access challenges.
Russia’s Ambassador to the U.N. denied Russia was responsible for the attack on the Thursday meeting.
China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun demanded a re-up of support for a diplomatic resolution, but made it clear China was opposed to the U.S. sanctions on the Russian Federation, and Russian nationals. He warned that these sanctions could have “new humanitarian consequences.”
Zhang stated that ever-escalating Sanctions are undermining stability in the international industrial chain. This is due to the slow recovery of the global economy. It also causes food and energy crises and damages people’s lives in all countries, including developing countries.
However, despite widespread hopes for a diplomatic resolution, U.N. officials stated that civilians continue to be attacked and aid delivery is being blocked.
“Daily attacks continue in Ukraine to attack cities. Many are reportedly indiscriminate, resulting in civilian casualties,” Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Council. According to DiCarlo, the U.N. Development agency projects that 90% of Ukraine’s population will be in poverty or extremely vulnerable if the war continues, which would set the country and region back decades and leave deep socio-economic scars.
The Security Council heard Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization, tell that his agency had “verified 43 attacks” against health care facilities.
He stated that the war in Ukraine was having “devastating consequences for Ukraine’s health, consequences which will reverberate over years or decades.”
Ghebreyesus stated that the fighting prevented some critically-needed medical supplies from being delivered. Ghebreyesus stated that the WHO had sent around 100 metric tons of medical supplies including insulin, oxygen, surgical supplies and blood transfusion kits. However, the WHO still faces access challenges.