US accuses Russia of ‘dangerous and inexplicable escalation’ of war in Ukraine as Trump seeks peace
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States on Monday nearly accused Russia of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” of tensions. four years war At a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance peace negotiations in Ukraine.
US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce claimed that Russia launched a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week near the border with Ukraine’s NATO ally Poland.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council, he said the United States deplored the “staggering number of casualties” in the conflict and condemned Russia’s intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure.
Ukraine called the meeting last Thursday after Russia bombed it overnight with hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles and dozens of missiles. new hypersonic Oreshnik missileThis is only the second time Moscow has used this as a clear warning to Kiev’s NATO allies.
Large-scale attack comes days after Ukraine and its allies reported great progress The aim is to reach agreement on how the country will be defended against further Moscow aggression in the event of a US-led peace agreement.
The attack also coincided with: A new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington After Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And he came as US President Donald Trump He signaled that he was on the ship. With a harsh package of sanctions aimed at crippling Russia economically.
Moscow has given no public signal that it is willing to abandon its maximalist demands for Ukraine. And on Monday, Russia’s ambassador to the UN blamed Ukraine for the diplomatic stalemate.
European leaders condemned the attack using Oreshnik as “escalating and unacceptable” and US envoy Bruce was equally harsh on Monday.
“At a moment of tremendous potential thanks to President Trump’s unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides must seek to de-escalate tensions,” he said. “Yet Russia’s action risks expanding and intensifying the war.”
Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favor of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“It would be nice if Russia matched its words with actions,” he said. “In accordance with the spirit of this decision, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must seriously pursue peace and put an end to this nightmare.”
But Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will continue until he comes to his senses and accepts realistic conditions for negotiations.” Solving the problem by military methods.”
“He was warned a long time ago; every day he wastes, every day he wastes, the conditions for negotiations will get worse for him,” Nebenzia said. “Similarly, any vile attack on Russian civilians will provoke a harsh response.”
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk disagreed, saying Russia was now more vulnerable than at any time since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. the economy is slowing down and oil revenues decreased.
He told the council: “Russia wants to give this council and the entire UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion.” “The carefully staged image of power is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely disconnected from reality.”
