Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, falsely accused the U.S. of engineering a Ukrainian coup on Wednesday as the UN condemned Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine. While defending President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, Nebenzya alleged the U.S. engaged in an “illegal coup in Kyiv” in 2014 “where the legitimately elected president of the country was overthrown.” Only four other UN countries—Syria, Belarus, Eritrea, and North Korea—joined Russia in voting down the condemnation of Russia’s invasion, though 35 countries abstained.
Editor’s Note: This story previously stated that Nebenzya’s comment about a “legitimately elected president” being “overthrown” was in reference to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Upon further review of the translation, he was specifically referencing the Ukrainian election in 2014.
