The United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) gathered for an emergency assembly Monday night time at Ukraine's request, throughout which almost all representatives condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Individuals's Republics.

The UNSC, mockingly chaired by Russia, which at the moment holds the presidency of the Council, additionally slammed the decree sending Russian troops to these areas as "peacekeepers." U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned of the "devastating lack of life" within the occasion of an extra invasion.

"Putin desires the world to journey again in time, to a time earlier than the United Nations," Thomas-Greenfield mentioned. "To a time when empires dominated the world. However the remainder of the world has moved ahead. It isn't 1919. It's 2022."

"[Putin] has put earlier than the world a selection. We should meet the second and we should not look away," she continued. "Historical past tells us that wanting the opposite method within the face of such hostility, will likely be a much more expensive path. He desires to display that via pressure, he could make a farce of the U.N. We should act collectively in response to this disaster."

UN Security Council meeting
The U.N. Safety Council held an emergency assembly following Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizing separatist areas of Ukraine. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya (L) addresses the United Nations Safety Council earlier than a vote as United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield listens on January 31, 2022. Richard Drew/AP Photograph

British Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward mentioned the UK will even announce new sanctions on Russia, promising extreme financial penalties. She additionally warned of the possibly "extreme and far-reaching" penalties of Russia's actions.

"First, to human life," Woodward started. "An invasion of Ukraine unleashes the forces of struggle, loss of life and destruction on the folks of Ukraine. The humanitarian affect will likely be horrible on civilians fleeing the combating. We all know that ladies and kids will endure most."

"Russia's choices are a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the ideas of the U.N. constitution. In in search of to redraw borders by pressure, Russia's actions present blatant contempt for worldwide regulation."

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya is the present president of the UNSC. He dismissed a lot of his colleagues' statements, which he known as "emotional."

"Now, it is vital to concentrate on easy methods to keep away from struggle," Nebenzya mentioned. "And easy methods to pressure Ukraine to cease the shelling and provocations in opposition to Donetsk and Luhansk."

"We stay open to diplomacy," he mentioned. "Nevertheless, permitting a blood bathtub within the Donbas is one thing we don't intend to do."

Nebenzya claimed round 68,000 ladies, seniors and kids have been evacuated to Russia, not Ukraine. He additionally confirmed civilian casualties following shelling over the weekend however didn't present a quantity.