• Dozens of diplomats walked out during Russia’s deputy foreign minister’s speech at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The walkout, led by France, Germany and Britain, showed solidarity with Ukraine.
• Russia’s deputy foreign minister accused Ukraine of human rights violations and promoting Russophobia. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister called for accountability and inclusion in negotiations.
• The diplomatic standoff reflects widening divisions over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations pushing for accountability and Russia opposing NATO expansion in Eastern Europe.

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Dozens of diplomats walked out during a speech by Russia’s deputy foreign minister at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, marking three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The walkout, led by ambassadors from France, Germany and Britain, was a show of solidarity with Ukraine.

“Our support for Ukraine is ironclad. We want to see a just and enduring peace in line with the U.N. charter and with international law,” Simon Manley, Britain’s ambassador to the U.N., said.

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How did Russia respond?

Speaking before the council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin accused Ukraine of committing “flagrant violations of fundamental human rights” and promoting Russophobia. He argued that human rights should not be subject to “double standards” and dismissed Western nations’ criticisms as political maneuvering.

Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, Mariana Betsa, condemned Russia’s remarks and called for accountability.

“The aggressor should be punished. Aggression should not be rewarded,” she said.

Betsa also stressed that Ukraine should be included in any negotiations about its future, stating, “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

How does this fit into broader UN tensions?

Deputy Foreign Minister Vershinin met with U.N. Human Rights Council President Jurg Lauber to express concerns about what Moscow calls “growing politicization and confrontation” within the council. Russia has accused certain countries of using the body for geopolitical purposes.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council recently passed a U.S.-drafted resolution related to Ukraine, reflecting President Donald Trump’s shift toward a more conciliatory stance on the conflict.

How does NATO factor into the conflict?

Ukraine’s potential NATO membership remains a contentious issue.

On Feb. 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, since NATO had denied Ukraine membership, the country may have to form its own military alliance to strengthen its defense. He argued that such a move would enhance Ukraine’s security and help maintain peace.

Russia responded by warning that Ukraine’s NATO ambitions or efforts to form a separate military alliance could “lead to an uncontrollable escalation” with “severe consequences for global security.”

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova argued that NATO’s influence in Ukraine was a key factor in the conflict’s escalation.

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What happens next?

The diplomatic standoff at the U.N. underscores widening divisions over the war in Ukraine. Western nations continue to push for stricter accountability measures against Russia, while Moscow insists that Ukraine and its allies bear responsibility for prolonging the conflict.

The situation remains volatile as Ukraine seeks security guarantees, and Russia opposes any expansion of NATO influence in Eastern Europe.