Yesterday at 19:21
Russia, despite the full-scale invasion of its army into the territory of Ukraine and numerous facts of war crimes, has been chairing the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) since April 1, 2023. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov decided to visit the headquarters in New York personally. On April 24 and 25, he held meetings. And already on the first day of his presence, the Russian diplomat managed to argue with UN Secretary General António Guterres, justify the war against Ukraine and accuse the United States of trying to change international law, informs FREEDOM.
Participation in the debate at the first meeting of the UN Security Council chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was attended by ministers of four countries: Ghana, Gabon, Cuba and the United Arab Emirates.
The remaining delegations of the countries participating in the Security Council, and there are only 15 of them – five permanent and 10 on a rotational basis, were represented either by permanent representatives or their deputies. This is how these countries expressed their attitude towards Russia in the language of diplomacy.
In addition, UN Secretary General António Guterres and representatives of the United States, Britain and Switzerland during the meeting condemned the Russian invasion.
“By organizing this debate, Russia is trying to present itself as a defender of the UN charter and multilateralism. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is cynical. We all know that while Russia is destroying, we are building. As long as they violate, we defend the UN charter. Everywhere you look, Russia is in contempt,” said Olaf Skoog, head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York.
At the debate in the UN Security Council, which is designed to prevent and extinguish military conflicts, the US Permanent Representative reminded Lavrov that Russia uses people as pawns in its political game. And he called on the Kremlin to release US citizens imprisoned in the Russian Federation: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. The paratrooper was detained 4 years ago on false charges of espionage.
“Russia has violated human rights and fundamental freedoms both outside and inside its borders. This is a violation of international law, which includes the wrongful detention of American citizens Paul Whelan, Trevor Reid, Britney Griner, and now Evan Hershkovich. Fortunately, Trevor and Britney are already at home, alive and well, ”said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Permanent Representative to the UN.
UN Secretary General António Guterres criticized Russia’s actions.
“Tension between major states has reached a historic high. As well as the risks of conflict due to an accident or miscalculation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, is causing great suffering and devastation to the country and its people,” Guterres said.
The Permanent Representative of China also spoke sharply towards Russia. He stated that it is unacceptable for any country to distort the meaning of international law, formalize its will as the so-called international order, and unreasonably violate the legitimate rights of other countries.
“If a major state arbitrarily turns important treaties and agreements relating to international peace and security into dead letters, then not only will international law be undermined, but there will be no world peace at all. In this regard, the country concerned should seriously consider its actions,” said Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, in his speech.
Lavrov himself, as chairman of the meeting of the UN Security Council, was forced to listen to all these statements. Previously, he just left the room. In response, I read the already traditional Russian theses that the UN is in a deep crisis, and the United States and Western countries are to blame for this.
In addition, according to him, they allegedly refuse diplomacy and demand a showdown on the battlefield. To this, 27 EU ambassadors to the UN demanded from the Russian Federation a complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine.
“Maintaining order based on rules, a term that Russia deliberately misinterprets, means respecting international law and the UN Charter and ensuring that these rules apply to everyone,” Olaf Skoog said.
But the main idea of Russia in the face of Lavrov is to demonstrate its influence on the world stage, including in the UN.
International isolation in connection with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced the Russian Federation to take a closer look at Africa. In the countries of the Global South, Russia is trying to find support. And at the same time spread their influence over them.
Therefore, on April 1, when Russia began to chair the UN, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the need to reform the UN. So that a terrorist state and any other state that wants to be a terrorist cannot destroy the world.
