Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
January 31, 2022
AS DELIVERED
QUESTION: Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, you said this was a chance for Russia to explain itself. Did they?
AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Look, we called for this meeting to allow the Russians to give us an explanation of what their actions are. We didn’t hear much. They didn’t give us the answers that any of us would have hoped that they would provide. So we hope that they continue along the route of diplomacy and find a solution – a way forward so that Ukraine can feel comfortable and secure in its own borders.
QUESTION: Do you have any sense that there is some positive view that there may be a diplomatic breakthrough?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Well, I think the Council meeting was clear. And all of the voices, even those who abstained on the votes, spoke clearly about the importance of the UN Charter and the importance of countries having the ability to feel comfortable within their own borders. And several raised concerns about Russian actions. So I think we accomplished that today; Russia heard clearly a united position from the vast majority of the Council, and I hope that that will lead to a diplomatic solution.
Thank you.
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