The UN Security Council discussed the Ukraine-Russia border crisis

The UN Security Council discussed the Ukraine-Russia border crisis, in a session where Washington and Moscow exchanged accusations.

Russia and China objected to the meeting being open, but were outvoted by ten votes in favor and three abstentions, with the result that the meeting went ahead.

The U.S. ambassador asserted that Russia’s moves pose a threat to the international order and defended Ukraine’s right to choose its defense model and alliances. Linda Thomas-Greenfield added that they still believe that there is a “diplomatic way out of the crisis”.

The Russian ambassador criticized the “interference in its internal affairs”, assured that the troops are deployed within its territory and denied that they pose a threat

“There is no threat, aggression or invasion planned. There has been no talk from any senior Russian officials, quite the contrary, they have been categorically rejected and we are going to do the same here today,” said Vasily Nebenzya who left the room before the Ukrainian delegate’s speech.

The Ukrainian ambassador said that this is a “new phase” of Russian aggression. He assured that they are ready to defend themselves, but also ready to keep diplomatic channels open. “There is no room for compromise on the main issue. We have the inherent right to choose our security arrangements, including treaties and alliances and they cannot be challenged by Russia.”

The UN under-secretary-general for political affairs repeated “the full commitment of the United Nations to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

Source: United Nations