The United Nations Security Council held its 28th meeting on the crisis in Ukraine, as Ambassador Samantha Power, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, addressed ongoing concerns about Russia's involvement in the conflict. Power criticized Russia for its continued escalation and failure to honor commitments made at various international forums.
Power highlighted Russia's occupation of Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, noting that "Russia continues to train, equip, and fight alongside separatists." She warned against accepting this behavior as a "new normal," emphasizing the threat it poses to both Ukrainian sovereignty and international peace.
The situation remains volatile with recent attacks on Debaltseve by Russian-backed separatists violating ceasefire agreements. According to reports from the OSCE, these attacks included a barrage of Grad rockets hitting civilian areas, resulting in casualties.
Power accused Russia of contributing to a humanitarian crisis through its military actions and highlighted an attack on a passenger bus near Volnovakha as an example of civilian harm caused by Russian-backed forces. The OSCE confirmed that rockets were fired from separatist-controlled areas during this incident.
Despite calls for peaceful resolution through negotiations like those outlined in the Minsk agreement, Power noted that "time and again, President Putin has extended an olive branch in one hand while passing out Grad missiles and tanks with the other."
She urged for implementation of existing peace plans rather than new proposals perceived as legitimizing territorial gains by separatists. Power also called attention to Ukraine's efforts towards de-escalation and reforms despite facing continuous aggression.
In closing remarks, she cautioned against accepting Russia's actions as routine, referencing similar tactics used previously in regions such as Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Power stressed that if unchecked, these actions could lead to further conflicts beyond Ukraine.