The Russia-US divide was on display during Moscow’s monthlong presidency of the UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Whether it’s Gaza, Ukraine, Syria or a new world order, it’s been Russia versus the United States and the West during Moscow’s presidency of the Security Council this month, with the growing divide on vivid display.

The tension was hardly new.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in violation of the U.N. Charter, which stresses the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 members of the world organization, the West has been lashing out at Moscow.

But this month, with Russia in charge of the Security Council agenda, the animosity was more public, even down to how frosty the formalities were.

The U.S. deputy ambassador, Robert Wood, has refused to call the Russian foreign minister or any other Russian diplomat “Mr. President,” as is standard for any man presiding over the council — a further sign of the icy state of U.S.-Russian relations.

In return, Russian diplomats have added an edge to the customary response to speakers with whom Russia is at odds, especially Americans.

“As the president of the Security Council, I am compelled to thank the United States for his statement,” a clearly angry Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy ambassador, said in response to critical remarks from Wood about Russia at a meeting Monday on Syria.

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