Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Russia says Trump's air strikes only strengthen terrorists like Isis

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency open session after the US launched missiles on Syria

Mythili Sampathkumar
New York
Friday 07 April 2017 14:03 EDT
Comments
Russian deputy envoy to the UN Vladimir Safronkov addresses the UN Security Council on Syria
Russian deputy envoy to the UN Vladimir Safronkov addresses the UN Security Council on Syria

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Russia has said Donald Trump's "aggression" in Syria is actually strengthening terrorist groups like Isis.

Russia's deputy envoy to the UN Vladimir Safronkov demanded that members of the Security Council, including the US, stop their "unprofessional arguments and accusations against my country."

Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN, has been open in her criticism of Russia in light of the latest chemical attack in the Idlib province of Syria, resulting in up to 100 deaths. Video in the wake of the attack showed several children among the victims.

Ahead of the session she said that “any country that chooses to defend the atrocities of the Syrian regime will have to do so in full public view, for all the world to hear.”

Mr Safronkov said the US actions and the support of allies in the Security Council were an "irresponsible geopolitical project."

"[Mr Assad] did this because he thought he would get away with it, he thought he could get away with it because he knew Russia would have his back," Ms Haley said in her statement, looking over to the Russian envoy.

There was no love lost between she and Mr Safronov as he looked down at his phone while Ms Haley was speaking.

Ms Haley said the US was "fully justified" in launching nearly 60 missiles onto an air field where the latest chemical attack is thought to have originated.

She said that sometimes states are forced to take action when the international community cannot come to a solution, referring to Russia's use of their veto power in the Security Council seven times to stop any kind of deal on Syria in the past.

Russia was intended to be "a guarantor" in assuring chemical weapons would be removed by Mr Assad's regime. Ms Haley presented three reasons why they may have failed in this task: that Russia was knowingly allowing weapons to remain, that Russia is "incompetent," or that the "Assad regime is playing [them] for fools."

Ms Haley said the missile attack was a measured response, but that the US is "prepared to do more."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in