At U.N., Nikki Haley says Russian hands are 'covered in the blood of Syrian children'

During an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley had harsh words for Russia, blaming Moscow for a deadly chemical attack in a rebel-held town near Damascus, Syria, that activist groups say was conducted by the government.

The attack in Douma killed at least 48 people, and Haley said because Moscow continues to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, "Russian hands are all covered in the blood of Syrian children." Russia has vetoed five Security Council resolutions condemning Assad's brutality against his own citizens, and Haley said "we must not overlook Russia and Iran's roles in enabling the Assad regime's murderous destruction."

The United States drafted a proposal to create an independent panel to investigate the chemical attack, but the council adjourned without taking a vote, the Los Angeles Times reports. Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, said the attack was staged by anti-Assad "terrorists," and told Haley, "we are not begging to be friends with you." President Trump has promised to make a "major decision" soon on how to best retaliate against the Syrian government for the attack.

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