The confrontation at the Security Council came as the Trump administration sought to advance negotiations toward a peace settlement — and days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress toward agreeing on security arrangements to defend Kyiv if a U.S.-led deal is reached.
UNITED NATIONS — The United States accused Russia on Monday of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, confronting Moscow at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting over a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile it fired near Ukraine’s border with Poland, a NATO member.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce told the council the United States deplores “the staggering number of casualties” in the conflict and condemns Russia’s intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure.
“At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trump’s unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate,” Bruce said. “Yet Russia’s action risks expanding and intensifying the war.”
Ukraine called for the emergency meeting after a large-scale Russian bombardment last Thursday that involved hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. The assault included a second use of the Oreshnik, a powerful new hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which Moscow launched as a clear warning to Kyiv’s NATO allies. European leaders condemned the Oreshnik strike as “escalatory and unacceptable.”
The attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress toward agreeing on how to defend the country from further Russian aggression should a U.S.-led peace deal be struck. It also coincided with a new chill in U.S.-Russia relations following Russia’s condemnation of a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
President Donald Trump separately signaled support for a hard-hitting sanctions package intended to economically pressure Russia. Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to move from its maximalist demands in any negotiation.
Russia’s ambassador says Kyiv must accept terms
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bore responsibility for the continuation of the war.
“Until [Zelenskyy] comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means,” Nebenzia said. “He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him.”
Bruce pushed back, reminding Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favor of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict.
“It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds,” she said. “In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end.”
Ukraine argues Russia is weakening
Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Andriy Melnyk disputed the image of Russian strength, telling the council that Moscow is more vulnerable than at any point since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. He said Russia’s economy is slowing and oil revenue is down.
“Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole U.N. family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion,” Melnyk said. “The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality.”