US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to consider booting Russia from the council as President Vladimir Putin’s forces continue to kill innocent men, women and children in Ukraine, writes independent.co.uk.

Mr Blinken questioned whether the nation can remain among the 47 member states while “committing horrific human rights abuses and causing massive humanitarian suffering” to another member state.

“One can reasonably ask whether a UN member state that tries to take over another UN member state - while committing horrific human rights abuses and causing massive humanitarian suffering - should be allowed to remain on this council”, he said in his speech to the council.

The secretary of state condemned Russia for “hitting schools, hospitals and residential buildings” during its assault on Ukraine in the intense meeting of member states where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation and diplomats staged a mass walkout when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the council.