Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russia’s launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week, close to Ukraine’s border with Poland, a NATO ally.
The United States accused Russia Monday of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance peace negotiations.
US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russia's launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraine's border with Poland, a NATO ally.
She told an emergency Security Council meeting the United States deplores "the staggering number of casualties" 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. Yet Russia's action risks expanding and intensifying the war," Bruce said.
Bruce reminded Russia it voted nearly a year ago for a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict. "It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds," she said. "Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end."
Monday's Security Council meeting was called by Ukraine following last Thursday's overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time.
The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress toward agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is struck.
The attack also coincided with tensions between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic last Wednesday. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the seizure "can only lead to a further escalation of military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region."
Despite months-long peace talks between the Trump administration and Russia, Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine.
Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia blamed the diplomatic impasse on Kyiv, stating that until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations," Moscow will continue its war.
Ukraine's UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down.
"Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion," he told the council. "The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality."
Trump has signalled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. European leaders slammed Russia for last week's deadly attack, calling the Oreshnik "escalatory and unacceptable."
Four people were killed and 25 were injured in the attack. Russia first used the Oreshnik in November 2024 when it launched the ballistic missile strike on the central city of Dnipro.