US, Chinese, Russian Diplomats Urge Cooperation but Haggle Nonetheless

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.