The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made the claim during a Security Council meeting on Monday, describing it as a deliberate act to “imperil civilians.”
The United States government has accused Russia of funding both sides in Sudan’s ongoing war.
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made the claim during a Security Council meeting on Monday, describing it as a deliberate act to “imperil civilians.”
“Russia chose obstruction: standing alone as it voted to imperil civilians, while funding both sides of the conflict – yes, that’s what I said: both sides,” Thomas-Greenfield stated.
She did not provide further details during her address.
The war in Sudan began in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis.
A US mission spokesperson said Washington condemns any material support for the warring parties, including “illicit gold trading or the provision of military equipment.”
They also highlighted Sudan’s gold mining cooperation with sanctioned Russian entities as harmful to Sudan’s aspirations for peace.
In November, Russia vetoed a UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery in Sudan, with 14 other council members voting in favour.
Russian Deputy Ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, dismissed the accusations, criticising US foreign policy.
“We regret that the U.S. tries to judge other world powers by its own yardstick,” Polyanskiy said.
Thomas-Greenfield, who is stepping down from her role, expressed hope for a resolution to Sudan’s crisis, despite frustrations over limited progress.
“For all the disappointment that I couldn’t do more, that we – all of us – didn’t do more – I still remain hopeful,” she said emotionally.
Her tenure at the UN ends as President Joe Biden leaves office, with Donald Trump set to succeed him on January 20.
