Ukraine appeals for U.N. help, warning: No one can 'sit out this crisis'

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and other Ukrainian representatives prepare to leave as Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya takes the podium during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly on the situation between Russia and Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 23, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Ukraine appealed to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday to stop Russia's "aggressive plans," as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the 193-member body that an expanded conflict "could see a scale and severity of need unseen for many years."

The General Assembly met for its annual meeting on Ukraine, which coincides with escalating tensions over U.S. accusations that Russia has deployed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders and is ready to invade. Russia has denied it wants to invade Ukraine and accuses Washington and allies of hysteria.