Britain, Russia Trade Insults After Testy UN Meeting

Russian Ambassador warns they won't be spoken to that way

Great Britain and the Russian Federation continue to see their diplomatic ties greatly worsen, following an emergency UN Security Council meeting Wednesday over British allegations Russia had used nerve gas on British soil.

The diplomatic ties are getting decided less diplomatic on Thursday. British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson declared during his comments that Russia should “go away and shut up,” referencing Russia’s denial of the attack.

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya was very pointed in his own comments at the UN, complaining that Britain was speaking in ultimatums and that Russia will not “be spoken to in that language” by anyone.

Neither Russia nor Britain, however, seems to be showing much interest in resolving this latest dispute. Russia was initially offering to help with an investigation, but now seems irked enough by the May government’s hostility that they’re contented to just like the situation simmer.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.