Hundreds of diplomats walk out during the Russian Foreign Minister's speech

Hundreds of diplomats from about 40 countries have walked out of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's speech at the United Nations.

Only a handful of diplomats were seen in the room after boycotts by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and other envoys on Tuesday. News from Al Jazeera.

After their walkout, Russia's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, a former Lavrov deputy, and ambassadors to Syria, China and Venezuela were in the room.

The walkout was led by Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgeny Filipenko. He thanked everyone who took part in the walkout with him.

Lavrov could not speak directly to the Human Rights Council as European airspace was closed for Russian flights.

According to Al Jazeera, in his speech, Lavrov, justifying his country's attack on Ukraine, accused Ukraine of human rights abuses against the Russian minority.

Diplomats who walked out of Lavrov's speech said the Human Rights Council should not be "misused as a platform for distorted information."