UNITED NATIONS, — US diplomats staged a rare walkout during a United Nations Security Council meeting after France criticized the Trump administration’s human rights record, exposing growing tensions between two long-standing allies.
The incident came during a Security Council session on Ukraine, shortly after the United States opposed granting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk a second four-year term. Despite US objections, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved Türk’s reappointment, with France among the countries supporting him.
Following the brief walkout, US Deputy Ambassador Dan Negrea accused France of engaging in “disingenuous grandstanding” and pretending to lecture the world on issues such as human rights.
Negrea said the United States had long tolerated France’s criticism out of friendship and mutual respect but would no longer do so. He insisted that America remains “the beacon of liberty for the world” and said US diplomats would not listen to what he described as France’s “politicized rhetoric.”
Dispute Triggered by French Social Media Post
The diplomatic clash was sparked by a statement posted by France’s UN Mission in Geneva after the General Assembly vote supporting Türk.
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The French mission said the United States had become isolated by voting alongside countries such as North Korea, Russia, Nicaragua, and Mali against the UN human rights chief.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz responded on social media, accusing France of supporting governments with poor human rights records while criticizing democratic nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
Broader Transatlantic Tensions
The dispute reflects broader strains between President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as growing disagreements between Washington and its European allies.
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The two sides have differed over NATO, the future of US troop deployments in Europe, Greenland, and Europe’s role during the recent conflict involving Iran.
Trump has repeatedly criticized European governments for not supporting the United States during the Iran conflict, while Macron has pushed for stronger European defense cooperation and greater strategic autonomy.
France Defends UN Principles
Responding after the Security Council meeting, France’s UN Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont avoided directly addressing the US walkout.
Instead, he reaffirmed France’s commitment to the founding principles of the United Nations, including international peace, human rights, and multilateral cooperation.
Bonnafont also recalled the historic ties between France and the United States, noting France’s support for American independence and emphasizing that Paris would continue working to protect the UN’s independence and global mission.
