U.S. Secretary of State Blinken warns of mounting Russian human rights abuses in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a press conference in Geneva on January 21, 2022 after meeting Russian Foreign Minister.

The Secretary of State warned Tuesday that Russia's human rights abuses in Ukraine are getting worse.

Russian strikes are hitting schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, according to a speech delivered by the top U.S. diplomat. Buses, cars, and even ambulances have been hit. Russia is doing this every day.

More than half a million Ukrainians have fled the country to neighboring NATO member states. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania are NATO countries that are bordered by Ukraine.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, warned last week that Russia's aggression in Ukraine could lead to one of the largest refugee crises in the world.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks at the General Assembly 58th plenary meeting in New York on February 23, 2022, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to our estimates, if Russia continues down this path, it could lead to a new refugee crisis with as many as 5 million more people displaced by Russia's war of choice.

This is President Putin's war of choice. Russia and Russia alone will bear full responsibility for what is to come if he escalates further.

The humanitarian assistance package was approved by the State Department over the weekend. U.S. humanitarian assistance to Ukraine has increased by more than 400 million dollars since the beginning of the year.

Critically needed health care, safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene supplies, protection for vulnerable children, as well as emergency food assistance and high thermal blankets, are provided by the added assistance.

Russia should be removed from the United Nations Human Rights Council, according to Tony Blinken.

One can ask whether the U.N. member state wants to take over.