U.S. Ambassador to UN sends clear message to Ukrainians: “Our support is unwavering”

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has affirmed that America’s support for Ukraine will not wane, despite growing questions about U.S. lawmakers’ willingness to sustain massive assistance for the country as it continues facing Russian bombardments.

In an interview with CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour in Kyiv, Thomas-Greenfield stressed that this support for Ukraine’s war effort is unequivocal: “We have been unified from day one, and we've not seen any cracks in that unity. Europe is unified. NATO is unified. We've had bi-partisan support in the United States for support for Ukraine. Our support is unwavering, and we will continue to be unified until Ukraine wins this war and Russia takes their troops out of Ukraine.
She also commented on the impact that ongoing sanctions are having on the Russians: “I see a sense of desperation on their part.”

When asked about potential negotiations with Russia, Thomas-Greenfield was firm, stating there would be “no negotiations in which Ukraine is not in the driver’s seat.”  

The pair also discussed Iran’s growing involvement in the war as the regime continues to supply drones to Russia, as well as the ongoing Iranian women’s movement and subsequent crackdown on protesters.

Key Quotes:

On the future of the Black Sea grain deal:  

“I'm hoping that the deal will be extended. I know that extraordinary efforts are being made by the secretary general and others to negotiate an extension of this deal. The fact that Putin pulled out of the deal temporarily shows he has no concern about the impact that this is having around the world. He sent shocks around the world when he did this. He got tremendous pressure from everyone. And he came back into – he had no choice but to come back into the deal. But again, I think it shows that he really does not care about the people his unprovoked war is impacting.”

On whether the Security Council could be a rare forum for cooperation:

“[Russia] have used the Security Council to push forward their negative narrative, their misinformation, their attacks on the people of Ukraine. We have used the Council to isolate them, to condemn them, and taken it as well to the General Assembly, where they have been roundly condemned. So I don't see the Russians at this point looking to use the Security Council as a forum where they will cooperate with the rest of the world.”

On the impact of ongoing sanctions on Russia:

“I think the sanctions are having an impact on them. I see a sense of desperation on their part.”

On reassuring Ukrainians as Americans head to the polls for midterm elections:

“We have been unified from day one and we've not seen any cracks in that unity. Europe is unified, NATO is unified. We've had bipartisan support in the United States for support for Ukraine. Our support is unwavering, and we will continue to be unified until Ukraine wins this war and Russia takes their troops out of Ukraine.”

On potential negotiations with Russia:

“The international community wants justice for the people of Ukraine. And any negotiations that take place have to take place with Ukraine in the driver's seat. They have to determine that, when they are ready for those negotiations with the backing and support of the international community, following the charter that Russia has violated.”

On Iran supplying drones to Russia:

“Iran providing drones to Russia breaks Security Council violations. Russia receiving those drones have broken a Security Council resolution. So we are looking at bringing this before the Council to discuss in the Council... They are providing drones that are attacking civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and it's unacceptable.”

“We've seen evidence of those drones being provided since the war started. They know that, the Russians know it, and we do.”

On the Security Council’s response to Iranian authorities’ continued crackdown on women protesters:

“We will continue to raise this in New York, in the Council and elsewhere, in the Human Rights Council, until Iran stops their brutal attack on attacks on women in Iran.”

“We're right now focused on what they are doing in terms of attacking women and what they're doing in terms of providing wherewithal for Russia to attack civilian infrastructure here in Ukraine.”