Russia and US clash over West’s weapons for Ukraine
- Russia calls UN Security Council meeting to discuss threats to peace caused by foreign governments supplying arms to Ukraine
- UN meeting came as Ukraine claimed its troops had recaptured over 1,000 sq km of territory from Russia since start of September
Russia dismissed claims that modern Western weapons supplied to Ukraine can lead it to victory as “empty fantasies”, insisting that the Russian army is destroying Ukraine’s old and new weapons and will “finish” the war as President Vladimir Putin vowed.
The United States accused Russia of having “the gall to blame other countries for refusing to step aside as it seeks to destroy another UN member state”. The Biden administration said it is committed to supporting the Ukrainian people “as they defend their lives, their liberty, and their democracy”.
On Tuesday, the council held a meeting at Russia’s request to hear about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine where Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of shelling the facility and threatening a possible nuclear catastrophe.
On Wednesday, at the request of the US and Albania, the council discussed what the US said is the forcible deportation of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to Russia.
Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, called Thursday’s meeting to discuss threats to peace caused by foreign governments supplying arms and military goods to Ukraine.