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On Tuesday, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov began to address the United Nations' Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, a majority of delegates walked out of the room in protest.
According to Reuters, more than 100 diplomats from nearly 40 countries in the West, as well as from Japan, stood up and left the meeting. Video shows the diplomats filing out of the room as Lavrov appears on a screen to make his remarks.
Diplomats from the United States, Britain, Canada and the European Union were among those who walked out. After walking out, diplomats were seen outside the chamber gathered around a Ukrainian flag, the Independent reported.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly called out Lavrov for his distortions on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and explained why the diplomats left the room.
"Minister Lavrov was giving his version, which is false, about what is happening in Ukraine and so that's why we wanted to show a very strong stance together," Joly told Reuters.
"It is a remarkable show of support for Ukrainians who are fighting for their independence," Ukrainian ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko said regarding the diplomats' move.
Not all of the diplomats in attendance left the room when Lavrov began speaking. According to reports, representatives from Syria, China, Venezuela and Russia stayed for the speech.
According to the Independent, during his speech, Lavrov, placed blame on Ukraine for Russia's invasion of the country. He also made the claim that Kyiv had nuclear weapons that could potentially threaten Russia.
Additionally, according to reports, Lavrov claimed that several European countries have engaged in what he called a "Russophobic frenzy." He said those countries have given arms to Ukraine and have avoided "face-to-face dialogue."
Lavrov gave his speech remotely after he initially planned to give his speech in Geneva. However, Reuters said he canceled his plans after Russia claimed that member states of the European Union were blocking his flight's path.
The diplomats' move comes on the same day as United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested to the U.N. Human Rights Council that Russia should be removed from the group. In his video address, he faulted Russia for targeting vital infrastructure and civilians.
"They are destroying critical infrastructure, which provides millions of people across Ukraine with drinking water, gas to keep them from freezing to death, and electricity. Civilian buses, cars, and even ambulances have been shelled. Russia is doing this every day—across Ukraine," Blinken said.
Tuesday is the sixth day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to estimates from the United Nations, more than 100 civilians have been killed and more than 300 people have been injured.
Currently, 47 countries comprise the subgroup of the United Nations, which works toward preserving human rights across the globe.
Newsweek reached out to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights but did not hear back before publication.
