Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given a blunt message to the United Nations, accusing Russia of the worst crimes since World War II.
Warning: This post contains graphic content that may disturb some readers.
Addressing the UN Security Council, the Ukrainian president gave a very graphic account of the brutality in Bucha claiming Russians killed civilians for pleasure. He said the United Nations should expel Russia and its veto power from the Security Council or, failing that, he said the organization should dissolve itself.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the United Nations to act and reform its structure, which guarantees Russia a veto in the Security Council, adding that all must be done to ensure the world body functions successfully.
Mr. Zelenskyy described harrowing images in the Ukrainian village of Bucha in detail in a video presentation to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, claiming Moscow wants to turn Ukraine into "silent slaves."
"They chopped off limbs, slit their throats, women were raped and slaughtered in front of their children, their tongues were torn out, solely because their aggressor did not hear what they wanted to hear from them," the Ukrainian President recalled, recalling the worst atrocities since World War II.
Russia is still claiming the scenes in Bucha a forgery despite satellite images taken weeks ago showing bodies of civilians on the streets.
The US is expected to announce new sanctions on Russia in coordination with G7 nations and the European Union in the days ahead.
Mr Zelenskyy, likening the troops' acts to those of the Islamic State terrorist group, called for international legal action to address the situation in Ukraine.
"For war crimes in Ukraine, the Russian military and those who gave them orders must be brought to court quickly," he stated.
Civilians had been shot in the back of the head after being tortured, blown up with bombs in their apartments, and crushed to death by tanks while in cars, Mr Zelenskyy informed council members.
"If you don't know how to make this decision, you have two options: remove Russia as an aggressor and a source of war so it can't block decisions about its own aggression... or show us you can reform or change, disintegrate yourself, and work for peace," he said.
"If there is no other alternative or choice, the next option is to dissolve yourself entirely; and I know you can accept that if there is nothing else you can do but talk, we need peace."
As terrible proof of civilian atrocities carried out by Russian soldiers on the outskirts of Kyiv continued to emerge, the Ukrainian leader made his plea.
"The Russian military hunted down and killed everyone who served our country; they shot and killed women outside their homes as they tried to call someone who was still alive; they slaughtered entire families, adults and children, and attempted to burn the dead," he claimed.
According to Ukrainian human rights ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova, between 150 and 300 bodies may be buried near a church in Bucha.
The US is frustrated that Russia is a member of the Security Council, according to the White House, but does not expect Russia's membership to change.
According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US will supply Ukraine with an additional $US100 million in security support, including Javelin anti-armor systems.
A raft of new sanctions in response to Bucha killings
White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated that a fresh round of US sanctions against Russia will be in part a response to the killings in the Ukrainian village of Bucha.
"Russian government leaders, their family members, Russian-owned financial institutions, as well as state-owned corporations" will be targeted, she warned.
New penalties suggested by the European Commission include a ban on Russian coal imports and a halt to commerce worth over 20 billion euros ($31.6 billion).
The proposed EU penalties, which must be approved by all 27 EU member states, would also bar Russian ships from entering EU ports.
Because of its nature, severity, and implications, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is one of the greatest challenges to the international order ever.
Mr. Guterres claimed that the war was putting even greater strain on the developing world, with over 1.2 billion people particularly exposed to rising food, energy, and fertilizer prices.