US at UN threatens Russia with accountability for breaking ceasefire in Ukraine
Illustrative photo: The US criticizes Russia for violating the ceasefire in Ukraine (Getty Images)
The United States will not tolerate dishonest negotiations about ending the war or violations of ceasefire commitments in Ukraine, according to US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea and her remarks at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine.
She expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the attack on Kryvyi Rih and reminded that Russia's ballistic missile was equipped with a cluster warhead.
The Ambassador also reminded that the US proposed a comprehensive ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukraine accepted this initiative, while Russia set conditions for a ceasefire, focusing only on energy facilities and the situation in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian authorities agreed to these limited terms.
According to the Ambassador, peace is only possible if both states - Ukraine and Russia - strictly adhere to the commitments made during the meeting in Riyadh.
"We call on Russia and Ukraine to fulfill their commitments. The world is watching. We call on both sides to exercise restraint and demonstrate their commitment to peace is real. In particular, we urge the Russian Federation to bear in mind that strikes like those on Kryvyi Rih, and executions of prisoners of war, have the potential to damage peace efforts and all dependent discussions," said Dorothy Shea.
Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
At the end of March, the United States held several rounds of negotiations in Riyadh with delegations from Ukraine and Russia.
During the discussions, the sides discussed the earlier proposed US ceasefire for 30 days. Ukraine agreed to the Washington proposal, but Russia began to make its own demands, including the cessation of mobilization and the supply of weapons from Western countries to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In early April, the Kremlin rejected the US peace initiatives, claiming that they did not address Russia's "problems."
At the same time, Russians intensified their strikes on Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles, drones, and guided bombs.
On April 4, Russians struck Kryvyi Rih with a ballistic missile. As a result of the attack, 20 people were killed, including 9 children.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington does not want negotiations without progress and did not rule out imposing new sanctions on Russia.
