By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Security Council is not going to vote on Friday about a Russian-drafted appeal for assistance access and civilian protection in Ukraine. Russia’s U.N. envoy has accused Western countries, including the United States of a campaign against the measure.

Diplomats stated that the Russian invasion would not have been accepted by the council of 15 members. They are likely to vote against the resolution as it does not acknowledge Russia’s invading of neighboring countries and it doesn’t address accountability.

Russia’s U.N. said that “many of our colleagues in many delegations have told us about unimaginable pressure from Western partners. Their arms are being twisted including threats and blackmail.” Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday.

Nebenzia spoke at a meeting of the council on Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis, as requested by Western council members. Nebenzia stated: “We understand how hard it is for these countries to resist this kind onslaught.”

U.S. The U.S. Embassy to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield stated to Reuters following the meeting that “the only people who do arms-twisting here are the Russians, and they must if you want anyone to support them.”

Nebenzia stated that Russia requested instead for the council to meet Friday, when the vote was scheduled, in order to discuss the “U.S. Bio-Laboratories in Ukraine” using new documents obtained during the special military operations.

Thomas Greenfield stated last week that no Ukrainian biological weapon laboratories are supported by the United States at the U.N. Security Council meeting. Russia also asked for this statement. Also, the United Nations said that it did not have evidence that Ukraine has a program to develop biological weapons.

Russia calls its incursion in Ukraine a “specially military operation”, referring to the attack as an attempt to destroy Ukraine’s military infrastructure. Moscow denied that it attacked civilians.

U.N. humanitarian agency recorded 726 deaths including 52 children and 1,174 persons injured between February 24th and March 15 U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo stated to the Security Council. Without naming the culprits, she stated that “actual numbers are likely to be much higher”.

The majority of the casualties occurred due to explosive weapons that have a large impact area. DiCarlo indicated that hundreds upon hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and hospitals as well as schools have also been affected.

It is impossible to deny the scale of civil casualties in Ukraine and its destruction of civil infrastructure. “This requires a detailed investigation and accountability,” she stated.

According to Tedros Adhanom Gobreyesus, WHO Director General, 43 terrorist attacks against Ukraine’s healthcare system have been confirmed by the World Health Organization. These included 12 deaths and dozens of injuries, as well as health workers.

Tedros stated to the council that attacks on healthcare facilities are an offense of international humanitarian law in any conflict. He did not specify who was responsible.