Trump’s new UN ambassador blames Russia for Ukraine violence, urges return of Crimea

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blamed Russia on Thursday for the recent surge of violence in eastern Ukraine and warned Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia will not be lifted until Moscow returns Crimea to Kiev.

“I consider it unfortunate on the occasion of my first appearance here I must condemn the aggressive actions of Russia,” Haley said, making her first public remarks inside the Security Council since being sworn in as the United States’ representative to the United Nations last month.

“It shouldn’t happen, or be that way,” said Haley. “We do want to better our relations with Russia. However, the dire situation in eastern Ukraine is one that demands clear and strong condemnation of Russian actions.”

It was the new US administration’s most visible rebuke of Moscow, amid intense scrutiny of the relationship. Trump has praised Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and expressed a wish for improved relations between the two countries.

Nevertheless, Haley’s chastisement only came after the US Treasury Department on Thursday eased sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB put in place by former President Barack Obama last year over accusations that Moscow launched cyber attacks to try to influence the US presidential election.

The Treasury Department said in a statement it would allow US companies to make limited transactions with the intelligence service that are needed to gain approval to import information technology products into Russia.