US diplomats stage UN walkout after France criticizes America’s human rights record

US diplomats staged a walkout during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Monday as France addressed the council, escalating a diplomatic dispute over criticism of the Trump administration’s human rights record.

The move came days after France publicly condemned the United States for opposing a second four-year term for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. France’s UN mission said Washington had become isolated by voting alongside countries including Russia and North Korea against Türk’s reappointment.

Deputy US Ambassador Dan Negrea accused France of “disingenuous grandstanding” and said Paris had forfeited the courtesy of being heard after what he described as repeated attempts to lecture the world on human rights. He insisted the United States remains a global “beacon of liberty” and criticized France for its remarks.

The diplomatic clash underscores widening tensions between the Trump administration and its European allies, particularly France. Disagreements have grown over NATO, US troop deployments in Europe, Washington’s stance on Greenland, and broader security issues following the Iran conflict.

UN rights chief Volker Türk, whose reappointment was backed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly despite US opposition, has previously criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s war in Gaza, and aspects of US immigration policy.

Responding after the Security Council meeting, French UN Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont avoided mentioning the US walkout directly. Instead, he reaffirmed France’s commitment to the UN Charter, international peace, and the protection of human rights, while recalling the longstanding historical ties between France and the United States.