Acting US Ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea said the US would have no patience for bad faith negotiation or violation of commitments as it seeks to end the war in Ukraine.
Shea stated this on Tuesday while speaking to the 15-member Security Council.
“We will ultimately judge President (Vladimir) Putin's commitment to a ceasefire by Russia's actions,” Shea said.
DAILY POST reports that the Security Council met after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih last week killed 11 adults and nine children in one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in months, jeopardizing Washington's ceasefire push.
“We urge the Russian Federation to bear in mind that strikes like those on Kryvyi Rih, and executions of prisoners of war, have the potential to damage peace efforts and all dependent discussions,” Shea added.
According to Russia, without providing evidence, Friday's strike had targeted a meeting of Ukrainian service members and foreign trainers and killed up to 85 of them, a claim Kyiv rejected as disinformation.
Meanwhile, Russia's UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia on Tuesday blamed the civilian deaths on a Ukrainian attempt to intercept the Russian attack.
Nebenzia also reminded the Security Council that one of Moscow's long-stated goals was Ukrainian demilitarization, which it would achieve using military or negotiating means in such a way to make sure that Ukraine is no longer a threat to Russia.
“We are ready to have a serious and practical dialogue, but we will not allow anyone to deceive us. We will not allow anyone to use this negotiating process in the interest of strengthening the Kyiv regime's military potential,” he said.
On her part, Ukraine's deputy UN Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn noted that her country had accepted a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
“In response to this proposal, Russia targets Ukrainian cities and villages with drones, bombs, artillery and ballistic and cruise missile attacks. Russia demonstrates its complete disregard for international peace efforts led by the United States,” she stated.
