Russian UN rep accuses U.S. of trying to 'whip up hysterics' with Ukraine rhetoric
Representatives of the United States and Russia clashed over Ukraine at a United Nations Security Council meeting Monday, The New York Times reports.
Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia was the first to speak, immediately calling for a procedural vote to adjourn the meeting.
He claimed that the United States' characterization of Russian troop movements as "a threat to international peace and security" was an instance of "unacceptable interference" in Russia's "domestic affairs" as well as "an attempt to mislead the international community."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
American alarmism, Nebenzia said, is to blame for "current global tensions." He went on to accuse the U.S. of engaging in "megaphone diplomacy" and of calling the Security Council meeting to publicly "whip up hysterics" rather than to facilitate productive discussion.
To support his point, Nebenzia cited statements Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made last week asking the U.S. and other countries to tone down their rhetoric about imminent invasion and not to "shout so much."
"Panic is the sister of failure," Zelensky said.
That same week, President Biden warned Zelensky there is a "distinct possibility" Russia could invade in February.
American U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was the next to address the Security Council.
Thomas-Greenfield argued the international community is right to be concerned about Russia's buildup of 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border, noting that Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 to seize Crimea.
She also asked other members of the Security Council how they might feel "if you had 100,000 troops sitting on your border."
Per the Times, the 10-member council "voted to proceed with the meeting, with only Russia and China objecting."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
ATACMS: the long-range American missiles being fired by Ukraine
The Explainer President Joe Biden has authorized their use for the first time in the war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published