It seems that we are back in the height of the Cold War era with escalating tensions over Russia's designs on Ukraine. The United Nations Security Council became the global public arena in which sharp rhetorical barbs were exchanged, particularly between the United States and Russia.
Russia's massing of troops and sophisticated weaponry along its border with Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus precipitated the current crisis. The United States and its Western allies in turn have threatened serious economic consequences if Russia invades Ukraine and have been supplying Ukraine with advanced weapons to repel an attack. NATO member troops are also being deployed to the region.
Russia declares that it does not want war while accusing the United States of provoking tensions in the region with fiery rhetoric and threats
Russia declares that it does not want war while accusing the United States of provoking tensions in the region with fiery rhetoric and threats. It claims that the U.S. has cavalierly ignored Russia's demands for ironclad security commitments that would preclude further NATO expansion in Eastern Europe. The Biden administration has dismissed Russia's claims as nonsensical misinformation.
The United States called for an open meeting on January 31st of the Security Council in order to force Russia to defend its actions publicly and to rally public opinion against Russia's aggressive behavior. Russia failed in its procedural effort to block the meeting from proceeding. Only China sided with Russia on this maneuver. The meeting was held on the last day before Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of February.
The Security Council meeting started off with a plea from Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for continued "diplomacy and dialogue" and avoidance by all sides of any further provocative rhetoric and actions. Then the fireworks began.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, charged that "Russia's actions strike at the very heart of the UN Charter." She said that "Russia's aggression" threatens not only Ukraine but all of Europe and the "international order" that the Security Council is responsible for upholding.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted Russian's deployment of over 100,000 troops and weapons along its border with Ukraine. She also mentioned Russia's moving of nearly 5,000 troops into Belarus, along with short-range ballistic missiles, special forces, and anti-aircraft batteries. The U.S. ambassador said that the path of diplomacy to address Russia's security concerns was still open. However, after referencing Russia's prior seizure of Crimea and its military support for separatists in the Donbas region of Ukraine, she warned that "we will be decisive, swift, and united should Russia further invade Ukraine."
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield concluded her remarks to the Security Council by appealing to all member states of the UN:
"Fellow members of the Council, and other UN Member States, we urge you to assess not only Russia's statements, but their actions, with clear eyes. To evaluate the risk this presents not just to Ukraine's border and its people, but to all of us. And to speak clearly and forcefully in favor of the path of diplomacy rather than the path of conflict."
Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia pulled no punches in his response to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield's remarks. He said that Russia had the right to deploy its troops and military equipment anywhere it wanted to within its own sovereign territory. He dismissed the accusations against his country as aimed at "whipping up hysteria" and creating the ingredients for a self-fulfilling prophecy. He charged that the U.S. and its allies were being provocative and trying to weaken Russia.
Ambassador Nebenzia added that there has been "no threat of a planned invasion into Ukraine, from the lips of any Russian politician or public figure."
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield took the opportunity to rebut the Russian ambassador's claims. "The provocation is from Russia, not from us or other members of the Council," she said after again referring to Russia's actions and threats of aggression on its border with Ukraine.
The two ambassadors continued their sparring in front of the media during their separate press stakeouts. Ambassador Nebenzia repeated to the press that Russia had no intention of invading Ukraine and dismissed the accusations against his country. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield complained to the press that Russia "didn't give us the answers that any of us would have hoped that they would provide."
Support Canada Free Press
Russia took over the presidency of the Security Council on February 1st. Ambassador Nebenzia held a full-fledged press conference during which he repeated many of the same themes that he had articulated the previous day. The Russian ambassador said that he had no idea how many Russian troops were deployed near the Ukraine border and would not check with Russia's defense officials to find out despite being asked to do so by a UN correspondent.
Ambassador Nebenzia blamed Ukraine for allegedly violating the Minsk Agreements that were intended to bring an end to hostilities in Ukraine. To the extent that may be true, it is because hostilities in the Donbas region are continuing. Ukraine is resisting Russia's efforts to leverage provisions in the Minsk Agreements that could allow Russia to increase its influence in eastern Ukraine at the expense of Ukraine's independence and territorial sovereignty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, like his UN ambassador, is claiming that the United States is trying to goad Russia into a military conflict over Ukraine. He continues to insist that his security demands be met, particularly as they relate to NATO's presence in Eastern Europe. At the same time, however, Putin appears to be trying to step back a bit from the brink of war by declaring that Russia is prepared to engage in further diplomatic discussions.
Russia may be simply stalling for time while determining its next moves and how to keep the heat on Ukraine without incurring serious economic consequences from a united West. Whether Russia is bluffing or intends some sort of invasion remains to be seen. Until Russia takes concrete steps to deescalate tensions by pulling a significant amount of its troops and weaponry away from the Ukrainian border, the Cold War revival will continue. Meanwhile, all that the United Nations can do is to provide a stage for more Cold War era rhetoric.
