On July 27, 2026, The United States delegation to the United Nations walked out of an address being delivered by France during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the issue of Ukraine, later accusing its longtime ally of “disingenuous grandstanding” over comments the country made comparing the U.S. to both Russia and North Korea over its votes on human rights issues.
France was angry with the United States for voting against a proposal that would extend the term of Volker Turk as the U.N. rights chief for another four-year term. U.S. representative to the U.N. Dan Negra issued a response explaining the incident during a U.N. Security Council session, saying that the delegation left during France’s remarks and would continue doing so until they “renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”
“I must point out that there is a member of this council that will claim moral outrage and pretend to lecture the rest of us about every topic, whether it’s about the very conflict we’re discussing yet again today, or even those unrelated to international peace and security, like human rights,” Negra began. “That is why we walked out during France’s intervention. This disingenuous grandstanding is tiresome.”
He then noted that the U.S. has remained tolerant toward French criticism due to the long history of respect and camaraderie between the two nations. “But we have tolerated it out of a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect as P5 members, we have stood by this member state through every conflict in which their freedoms have been imperiled,” the ambassador continued.
“And today, I remind them that it is the United States that remains the beacon of liberty for the world. As such, we will not be affording them the benefit of listening to their politicized drivel until they renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric and behave in a manner commensurate with their seat on this council. I thank you,” Negra concluded.
Jerome Bonnafont, the French ambassador to the U.N., also issued a statement during the session. “Mr. President, we this year celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, and everyone knows, is all too aware, that France took part in those celebrations a few days ago. The Statue of Liberty, not very far from here, was lit up,” Bonnafont said.
“We are acutely aware of the fact that it was at San Francisco that the Charter was adopted, and that the United Nations was created with the goal of working towards international peace and security, human rights and development, all of that forms the spirit in which France works within the United Nations and the Security Council, the General Assembly,” he continued.
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“We work to preserve this institution, its independence, its ability to act in service of the Charter, and act to serve human rights and peace in the fora that bring us together, and indeed in today’s debate, our goal is to continue working alongside all those who bring peace initiatives to the table, so that Ukraine can return to peace, security, its territorial integrity, and its absolute sovereignty. Thank you,” Bonnafont concluded.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video