Russia and US clash over Western weapons for Ukraine

Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (AP)

Russian officials have dismissed claims that modern Western weapons supplied to Ukraine can lead it to victory as “empty fantasies”, insisting that the Russian army is destroying Ukraine’s old and new weapons and will “finish” the war as President Vladimir Putin vowed.

In a heated UN Security Council meeting, the United States accused Russia of having “the gall to blame other countries for refusing to step aside as it seeks to destroy another UN member state”.