US, Chinese, Russian Diplomats Urge Cooperation but Haggle Nonetheless
Voice of America
UNITED NATIONS - The top diplomats from the United States, China and Russia urged strengthened global cooperation Friday, recognizing the need to tackle growing global challenges and an unprecedented pandemic but sparring over their different worldviews and who's to blame for threats to multilateralism.
The high-level U.N. Security Council meeting marked the first joint appearance, albeit virtually, by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Wang Yi of China. Wang chaired the session as this month's council president. Despite major differences, especially on human rights and democracy, all three said they were ready to cooperate with all countries to address international challenges — from addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change to ending conflicts and helping people in need. Blinken said the post-World War II commitment by nations to work together to prevent conflict, alleviate suffering and defend human rights is in ``serious jeopardy,'' pointing to resurgent nationalism, rising repression and deepening rivalries.A Swiss flag is pictured in front of the Burgenstock Resort where the Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place June 15 and 16, in Lucerne, Switzerland, May 28, 2024. FILE - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference in Beijing, May 30, 2024. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens to a question during a press conference after the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, June 2, 2024.
FILE - The United Nations logo is pictured in front of the United Nations Headquarters building during the U.N. General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, Sept. 22, 2016. FILE - Greece's Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis speaks in Athens, May 17, 2024. FILE - Panama's Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney speaks in Panama City, Panama April 11, 2023.
FILE - Male students arrive at the Herat University after the universities were reopened in Herat, Afghanistan, March 6, 2023. FILE - Afghan women students stand outside the Kabul University in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2022. Taliban security forces are upholding a higher education ban for women by blocking access to university campuses.
President Joe Biden delivers a speech during a commemorative ceremony to mark D-Day 80th anniversary, June 6, 2024, at the U.S. cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. President Joe Biden speaks with World War II veteran Bob Pedigo after French President Emmanuel Macron honored Pedigo with the Legion of Honor medal, during a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2024, in Normandy. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden stand before a wreath at the Normandy American Cemetery following a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2024, in Normandy, France.