By John Ikani
The United States (US) and its allies rounded on Russia during an emergency UN Security Council (UNSC) session, denouncing Vladimir Putin’s recognition of rebel-held areas in Ukraine.
They also condemned Putin’s ordered deployment of troops into eastern Ukraine as a gross violation of international law and “pretext for war.”
Speaking at the emergency meeting, Ukraine’s Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya insisted that his country’s borders remain “unchangeable” despite Russia’s actions.
Addressing the council, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield heaped scorn on Putin’s assertion that the Russian troops would take on a peacekeeping role in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas.
“He calls them peacekeepers. This is nonsense. We know what they really are,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said Moscow is still “open to diplomacy for a diplomatic solution” — but warned against what he dubbed Ukrainian aggression.
“Allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbass is something we do not intend to do,” he added, referring to the region encompassing Donetsk and Lugansk.
Putin’s order has been widely seen as paving the way for an operation to deploy part of the potential invasion force he has massed on Ukraine’s borders.
In a lengthy televised national address announcing his recognition of the rebel-held areas, Putin railed against Ukraine as a failed state and “puppet” of the West, repeatedly suggesting it was essentially part of Russia.
Thomas-Greenfield said the speech amounted to a “series of outrageous, false claims” that were aimed at “creating a pretext for war.”
Her remarks came just before a White House spokesperson told AFP that Washington on Tuesday would impose sanctions on Moscow following Putin’s order.
On its part, China at UN urges restraint by all sides
China has called for restraint by “all sides” to avoid further escalation in the Ukraine crisis, urging a diplomatic solution during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.
“All parties concerned must exercise restraint and avoid any action that may fuel tensions. We welcome and encourage every effort for a diplomatic solution,” said Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador to the UN.
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