Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 21st Sept. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday briefed the members of the UN Security Council and called to expand the elite bloc and reforming the right of veto granted to its permanent members.
Zelenskyy said “Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one: Russia. That is to the detriment of all other UN Members,” he said.
The world body focused on upholding the UN Charter through effective multilateralism in the context of the war in Ukraine.
The Charter is the UN’s founding document and codifies the major principles of international relations, including the sovereign equality of States and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.
Mr. Zelenskyy told the Council members that “We should recognize that the UN finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations”.
“World leaders are seeking new platforms and alliances that could reduce the disastrous scope of problems, the problems that are met here within these walls with rhetoric, rather than real solutions; with aspirations to compromise with killers, rather than to protect lives.”
He said he was confident that the UN Charter can work effectively for the sake of peace and security globally.
“However, for this to happen, the years-long discussions and projects on UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform,” he added.
“And it should not be only about representation here in the Security Council. The use of veto power is what requires reform.”
He said the right of veto “should not serve those who are obsessed with hatred and war” and that the General Assembly – which comprises all UN Member States – “should be given real power to overcome the veto.”
Mr. Zelenskyy said he has welcomed proposals to expand the Security Council to reflect current realities.
“Ukraine considers it unjust when billions of people do not have their permanent representation in the Security Council,” said Mr. Zelenskyy.
Mr. Secretary General Antonio Guterres underlined full commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in his remarks to the meeting.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world,” he said.
“All this comes at a time when cooperation and compromise for multilateral solutions are needed more than ever, to tackle challenges from the climate crisis to unprecedented levels of inequality to disruptive technologies,” he added.
Mr. Guterres said the UN has been clear in condemning the war, which began on 24 February.
He recalled that the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukraine, and another rejecting its efforts to annex Ukrainian territory.
Guterres outlined the brutal toll of the conflict, including relentless attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, tens of thousands killed or injured, shocking human rights violations, and millions now in need of aid and protection.
“This war is already causing limitless suffering. Its continuation risks further perilous escalation,” he warned. “There is no alternative to dialogue, diplomacy, and just peace.”
The Security Council meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, holding the rotating Council presidency this month.
Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzya, questioned why President Zelenskyy was allowed to speak ahead of representatives of countries that are on the Council, and why North Macedonian Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani, who is the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was invited.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke to the Council chamber on behalf of Russia, saying his country continues to insist on all provisions of the UN Charter being respected and applied in their entirety, not selectively.
“This includes the principle of the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in their domestic affairs, respect for territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,” he added.
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