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US admits debt problem hurts UN standing

Washington lagging behind on UN dues creates a “challenge” exploited by China, envoy says

The US being billions of dollars behind on its UN commitments is hurting Washington’s ability to influence the world organization, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. She told legislators that while the American delegation has not been shamed over this issue, they have created an opportunity for China.

Samantha Power, USAID administrator and Thomas-Greenfield testified before Congress on Wednesday morning. “global food security”The conflict halted most questions and the main topic, which dealt with the issue of grain exports to Ukraine and Russia. Senator Chris Murphy (D.Connecticut), brought up US debt just halfway through the hearing.

“That is really the crux of the challenge that I face in New York every single day, as we are put in a position of having to compete with our adversaries on being able to influence the UN actions,” Thomas-Greenfield replied. 

“We’re reminded publicly  – and attempted to shame, but we don’t feel shame – that we have such a large debt, such large arrears, in the UN. So we really do have to address that issue if we’re going to be able to compete…”Elle added.

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Thomas-Greenfield asserted that this would leave opportunities for Russia or China. Murphy said it was because the US can’t.

“Every gap that we leave is an opening for the Chinese. They flow into every open space that we leave,”She said.

Power and Thomas-Greenfield spent much time blaming Russia and the lack of fertilizer and grain on the global markets. They also claimed that it was not to do with US and NATO’s embargo against Moscow in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. 

These accusations can be made “lies,”Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, spoke to RT and Sputnik during a Wednesday interview. Lavrov said that Russian sanctions were aimed at ships, port facilities, and insurance. The result was to cut off Russian grain exports while Ukrainian grain is trapped in the ports which are mined under orders from Kiev.

Now, the US and allies are defending their interests “want to drag the UN secretary-general into their games,” Lavrov said.

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