Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations said Russia has been holding a gun to Ukraine’s head for months and again asked Russia to avoid war.
“For months, Russia has been holding a gun to Ukraine’s head. Now President Putin’s finger is on the trigger,” British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said Wednesday evening at a special meeting of the UN Security Council.
“A large-scale conflict in a country of 44 million people will cause enormous suffering, casualties on both sides and devastating humanitarian consequences,” she said.
“The world is crying out for peace, but Russia is not listening,” she added.
“We’re here on council for the second time this week,” Woodward said. “My prime minister and the foreign and defense ministers have been relentless in their diplomatic efforts. But we also announced an important further sanctions step with our allies. A package targeting some Russian oligarchs, banks and politicians who support President Putin and we will amplify the economic fallout if Russia continues its aggression.”
“There is still time for restraint, reason and de-escalation, but that time is now.”
