Russia Vetoes UN Ceasefire Resolution on Sudan

Tensions escalated at the United Nations following Russia's veto of a Security Council resolution aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Sudan, which has been ravaged by a civil war since April 2023. The resolution, proposed by the UK and Sierra Leone, sought to halt violence between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, as the humanitarian crisis worsens with over 25 million people in need of aid and more than 11 million displaced. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Russia's decision as 'mean, nasty, and cynical,' while the Russian representative accused the UK of meddling in Sudan's internal affairs. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized Russia for obstructing efforts to protect civilians, stating that Sudan supports the resolution. The veto highlights deepening geopolitical divisions, as all other Security Council members backed the proposal. The ongoing conflict, a result of a power struggle, has led to dire humanitarian conditions, with many facing severe food shortages.