US accuses Russia of ‘dangerous escalation’ in Ukraine as Trump pushes peace

The United States has accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of its nearly fouryear war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations toward peaceUS deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce on Monday singled out Russias launch of a nuclearcapable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraines border with Poland a NATO allyShe told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the United States deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructureUkraine called for the meeting after last Thursdays overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles including the powerful new hypersonic Oreshnik missile which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyivs NATO alliesThe largescale 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 USled peace deal is struckThe attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic And it came as US President Donald Trump signalled he is on board with a hardhitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple RussiaMoscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine And Russias UN ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine Europes leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as escalatory and unacceptable and US envoy Bruce was equally tough on MondayAt a moment of tremendous potential due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world both sides should be seeking ways to deescalate she said Yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the warBruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favour of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds she said In the spirit of that resolution Russia Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an endBut Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations we will continue solving the problem by military meansHe was warned long ago with each passing day each day which he squanders the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him Nebenzia said Similarly each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response Ukraines UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the fullscale invasion in February 2022 Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is downRussia 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 realityThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever