Tensions between Russia and the United States reached a boiling point at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, reports Digi24.
Both countries accused each other of supporting terrorism as they clashed over the escalating conflict in Syria.
The meeting was called after Syrian rebels captured Aleppo last week. The rebels were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that was once affiliated with Al-Qaeda before severing ties in 2016.
HTS is still considered a terrorist group and is on the United Nations Security Council's sanctions list.
During the meeting, the United States voiced concerns about the growing violence in Syria.
The US deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, called for an immediate de-escalation of the fighting and stressed the importance of protecting civilians.
He expressed particular concern about HTS leading the rebel offensive in Aleppo. Wood stated that while HTS is a recognized terrorist organization by both the US and the UN, this should not excuse the actions of the Syrian government or its Russian allies.
He accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and Russia of causing civilian deaths through attacks on schools and hospitals.
The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasili Nebenzia, strongly disagreed. He shot back at Wood, accusing the US of failing to take responsibility for its actions.
Nebenzia said that Washington would never honestly fight international terrorism, and he defended Russia's involvement in Syria.
He criticized the US for failing to condemn terrorist actions in Syria while pointing fingers at Russia and Assad’s regime.
Nebenzia’s comments were a response to accusations from the US that Russia supports regimes around the world that sponsor terrorism.
In his reply, Wood rejected Nebenzia's remarks, stating that the United States has been fighting terrorism for decades and would continue to do so.
The exchange highlighted the deep divisions between the two countries regarding their approach to the Syrian conflict and their differing views on international terrorism.
