U.S. ambassador to U.N. warns Putin is 'testing our international system' to see 'how far he can push us'
During a tense 90-minute emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday night, several ambassadors explicitly warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine could quickly escalate to something much bigger.
Kyiv called the emergency meeting after Putin recognized two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine as independent and sent troops there on a "peacekeeping" mission. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., called this "nonsense," and declared that Putin is "testing our international system" and "seeing how far he can push us all. We must meet the moment and must not look the other way."
Barbara Woodward, Britain's representative, said that by "seeking to redraw borders by force, Russia's actions show blatant contempt for international law," and Albania's Ferit Hoxha asked if Russia is willing to send troops to the separatist regions, "who is next?"
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.
Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.N., echoed remarks made earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an address to the nation. "We are on our own land," Kyslytsya declared. "We are not afraid of anything or anyone, we owe nothing to anyone, and we will not give away anything to anyone. There should be no doubt whatsoever. The international borders of Ukraine are and will remain unchangeable."
Ukraine, Kyslytsya continued, is demanding that Russia "return to the table of negotiations. We condemn the order to deploy additional Russian occupation troops to the territories in Ukraine. We demand immediate and complete verifiable withdrawal of the occupation troops."
The Russian ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, was just as forceful, accusing the West of "nudging" Ukraine toward a military conflict and "cramming weapons" into the country. He also said the world has forgotten about the nearly 4 million people who live in the separatist regions of Ukraine, and claimed that Russia was protecting them from a supposed "bloodbath" being perpetrated by the Ukrainian government.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Antony Gormley's Time Horizon – a 'judgmental army' of 100 cast-iron men
The Week Recommends Sculptures are 'everymen questioning the privilege of their surroundings' at the Norfolk stately home
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'King's horses take free rein through London'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
How likely is an accidental nuclear incident?
The Explainer Artificial intelligence, secret enemy tests or false alarms could trigger inadvertent launch or detonation
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published