US Envoy Quits UN Security Council Meeting to Protest France Ambassador’s Comments
The United States delegation walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on
Monday in protest against comments by France’s ambassador.
The dramatic move came after French officials compared the US to authoritarian states like North Korea
over a recent human rights vote.
US alternate representative Dan Negrea criticised France’s remarks as “disingenuous grandstanding”
and “politicized drivel.”
He stated that the US delegation would continue to leave the room during French interventions until
Paris renounces what he described as condescending rhetoric.
The incident stems from a UN General Assembly vote on Friday extending the term of UN Human Rights
Chief Volker Türk. The US, alongside Russia, North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali, and others, voted against the
proposal.
France’s mission in Geneva posted on X that the US “used to be a beacon of human rights” but now
stands “alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali & Russia, isolated.” The post used the hashtag AmericaAlone.
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz responded sharply, accusing France of backing a rights chief
who lectures democracies while ignoring abuses by authoritarian regimes.
The walkout is highly unusual between two permanent Security Council members and close allies.
The clash highlights deepening transatlantic tensions over human rights, multilateral institutions, and
global governance under the current US administration.
France has defended its position, emphasising the importance of independent human rights oversight.
The walkout occurred during a formal Security Council session, underscoring the seriousness of the
diplomatic protest.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
