Russia has hit the heart of the UN Charter, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.. She added that it was impossible to ignore a significant problem in the organization: Russia.

“Russia, which convened today's meeting, invaded its neighbors in Ukraine and dealt a blow to the essence of the UN Charter. And Russia again and again violates universal human rights and fundamental freedoms - both outside and inside its own borders, ”the diplomat said in a statement..

As you know, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs a meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday, as Russia chairs the council.

Thomas Greenfield accused the Russian Federation of arbitrariness in the detention of political activists, journalists and opposition leaders, as well as the unlawful detention of American citizens.

She stated that Moscow is using imprisoned Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich as " Vilan has been in Russian custody for more than four years; Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested in Russia last month and subsequently charged with espionage..

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“There is a human cost to Russia’s violation of international norms, its barbaric practice of using people as political pawns,” the ambassador stressed, urging the Kremlin to take measures to free the hostages.

Previously, the White House suggested that Russia during the Security Council chairmanship would use its UN seat to spread its narratives and attempts to justify its actions in Ukraine, in particular, war crimes committed by Russian soldiers..