By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA, (Reuters) – More than 100 diplomats representing 40 Western countries and their allies, including Japan, protested against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Only a handful of diplomats were left in the room after the boycott by representatives from the United States, Britain, and the European Union. Gennady Gatilov (Russia’s ambassador to U.N. Geneva), was a former deputy under Lavrov. There were also representatives from Venezuela and China.

After cancelling his trip to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Lavrov addressed the Council via remote. The Russian mission claimed that Lavrov had been prevented from visiting the Council by EU countries blocking his flight path.

Neutral Switzerland also imposed financial restrictions on Lavrov Monday. This was a response to international revulsion about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Lavrov claimed that the EU was engaging in “Russophobic Fenzy”, supplying lethal weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as part of Moscow’s military campaign, which began on Thursday.

The sixth day of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, an armoured Russian column drove into Kyiv the capital of Ukraine. On Tuesday, invading forces opened fire on Kharkiv the second-largest city of the country.

SHOW SUPPORT

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly joined the Ukrainian Ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko in a small Ukrainian blue-and-yellow flag.

Filipenko stated to reporters that it was a “remarkable show of support” for Ukrainians fighting for independence.

Filipenko stated that Kharkiv had suffered “massive destruction of civilian infrastructure”, adding, “The Maternity Wards have been attacked and civilian residential buildings bombed.”

Russia claims that it has not targeted any civilian locations.

Canada’s Joly claimed that Minister Lavrov had given his false account about the events in Ukraine. That’s why Canada wanted to stand firm together.

Canada will later on Tuesday petition the International Criminal Court to challenge Russia’s war crimes and “crimes against humanity” [L8N2V44MO]

Her reference was to Hague-based court, where on Monday the office of the ICC procuror stated it would request court approval for an investigation to investigate alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine.

Michele Taylor (the U.S. ambassador to the Human Rights Council) stated in a statement that “The Russian war of aggression would have profound consequences for the human rights of Ukraine and Russia and will result in the leadership of Russia being held responsible.”