Anna Hartz
Russia and Ukraine Clash Over Peace Terms at U.N. Meeting
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to cause destruction and death.
Civilians are caught in the middle, and efforts to end the fighting have repeatedly stalled.
On Tuesday, the United States called on both countries to accept a new peace plan during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, reports Digi24.
U.S. representative John Kelley urged Russia and Ukraine to agree to the American “framework proposal.”
He said that President Donald Trump had asked Moscow to stop the attacks and end the war right away.
Kelley added that if both sides are ready to end the war, the U.S. will fully support the road to peace.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mariana Betsa, responded by accusing Russia of continuing its attacks.
She said that since March, Russia has dropped 8,500 bombs on Ukrainian territory.
She also said a complete ceasefire would be the first step toward peace.
Betsa questioned Russia’s intentions. She asked why Russia won’t stop the fighting now instead of waiting until May 8, when a temporary ceasefire is scheduled.
She criticized the date, saying Russia uses World War II commemorations as propaganda.
Betsa said Ukraine wants peace but not at any price. She made it clear that any future negotiations must respect Ukraine’s borders.
Ukraine will not recognize any Russian claims to occupied areas, including Crimea.
She also said Ukraine must be free to choose its own alliances and control its own defense.
Russia’s representative, Vasily Nebenzia, said the meeting was organized by Ukraine’s European allies.
He claimed they were worried about being left out of future talks led by the U.S.
Nebenzia said Ukraine had rejected American proposals and was escalating the conflict. He repeated that Moscow was still open to peace talks.
France hosted the Security Council meeting. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for a general ceasefire.
He also condemned a recent Russian missile attack on Kyiv that killed 13 people and injured around 90.
UN official Joyce Msuya said that while diplomacy stalls, civilians keep dying. Children are among the victims.