Ukraine plans to ask that Russia be removed as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
“Tomorrow we will officially express our position. We have a very simple question: Does Russia have the right to remain a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to be in the United Nations?” she said, speaking Sunday night during a national television marathon.
“We have a convincing and reasoned answer: no, it’s not like that.”
Kuleba said the issue of Russia’s permanent veto-wielding seat in the UN Security Council, also held by the United States, Britain, France and China, was already being discussed in diplomatic circles.
“These issues are not yet discussed at press conferences and in public statements by the heads of states and governments, but at a lower level, people are already wondering what Russia should be like so as not to pose a threat to the peace and security,” he said.
The powerful 15-member Security Council charged with addressing global crises by enacting sanctions, authorizing military action and approving changes to the UN charter.
But the permanent five, who have veto power that can block any resolution, reflect the power dynamics at the end of World War II.
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Countries have long advocated for Security Council reform, with some criticizing the lack of representation when it comes to permanent seats for African and Latin American countries.
The body can also be rendered powerless by a single veto-wielding member, as demonstrated in February when diplomats continued to read previously written statements just as Russia began bombing Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden said in September that he supported expanding the Security Council and making it “more inclusive,” a rare call for action from Washington, given that it bypassed the Council to invade Iraq. during the George W. Bush administration. .
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western powers have pored over UN rules of procedure to ensure that Russia does not block Security Council meetings.
They have turned to another UN body, the 193-member General Assembly, to seek condemnation of the Kremlin’s actions.
