RUSSIA’S foreign minister accused the United States of holding the entire West “at gunpoint” on Tuesday and impeding international co-operation.

The remarks came at Russia’s showcase event during its presidency of the United Nations security council this month, and it chose the topic “Multilateral co-operation for a more just, democratic and sustainable world order.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov flew in from Moscow to preside over the meeting.

But just before the meeting, Ukraine’s UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya read a statement on behalf of about 50 countries, including the United States.

The joint statement said the international community must not be distracted from Russia’s “flagrant violations” of Ukraine’s territorial integrity through its ongoing invasion, and from Moscow “cynically attempting to present itself as the guardian of the multilateral order.”

The countries condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, North Korea’s military support to Moscow in violation of UN sanctions, and violations by Iran when UN sanctions were in effect.

“The Russian Federation’s continued illegal actions and blatant hypocrisy undermine multilateral and international co-operation” and “exacerbate regional tensions, and endanger international peace and security,” the 50 countries said.

But Mr Lavrov slammed the US for declaring “its own exceptionalism.”

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” Mr Lavrov said, quoting George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm.

He then went on to attack Nato’s “reckless expansion” in Europe despite repeated warnings from Moscow and said the “special military operation” in Ukraine was launched to eliminate threats to Russia’s security.

Mr Lavrov accused Washington of doing everything possible “to blow up” the global order “to contain Russia, China and other countries whose independent policies are seen as a challenge to its hegemony.”

“Americans are holding the entire West at gunpoint and expanding their trade and economic war with those they see as undesirable,” he said.

Mr Lavrov called for peace in Ukraine on terms set out by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Kiev has rejected, since they involve surrendering territory Moscow claims.

He demanded recognition of a multipolar world, eliminating injustices in the global economy, and reforming the UN, international financial institutions and other global organisations.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield hit back saying: “I thought I was in the wrong room because this seemed to be a session whining about the US and the West, and I hardly heard the word ‘multilateralism’ mentioned.”

Ms Thomas-Greenfield dismissed what she described as Mr Lavrov’s “mealy-mouthed calls for co-operation” and called for action to make the UN and the broader international system better reflect the world today and the priorities of all countries, including developing nations.