War in Ukraine: what to remember on the 306th day of the Russian invasion

Europe1 .fr with AFP 07:07, December 26, 2022

THE ESSENTIAL

Ukraine plans to call for Russia's exclusion from the UN Security Council on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Sunday.

"Tomorrow (Monday) we will officially state 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 UN?"

he said, speaking late on Christmas Eve during a national TV marathon.

"We have a compelling and reasoned answer: No, she doesn't."

Dmytro Kuleba pointed out that the issue of Russia's permanent seat on the UN Security Council - also held by the US, Britain, France and China - was already being discussed in circles diplomatic.

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Stating that this issue had not yet been raised at press conferences and in public statements by state and government leaders, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy highlighted that "at a lower level, people The question is already being asked of what Russia should become in order not to pose a threat to peace and security."

Towards a reform of the Security Council?

The powerful 15-member Security Council is tasked with dealing with global crises by passing sanctions, authorizing military action and approving changes to the UN charter.

But the five permanent members, all of whom have veto power allowing them to block any resolution, reflect the power dynamics at the end of the Second World War.

Several countries have long called for Security Council reform, with some criticizing the lack of representation of African and Latin American nations in permanent seats.

The organization can also be rendered powerless by a single member exercising its veto - as was demonstrated in February when diplomats continued to read pre-written statements as Russia began bombing Ukraine.

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In September, US President Joe Biden called for the enlargement of the Security Council and its "more inclusive nature".

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western powers have combed through UN rules of procedure to ensure that Russia does not block Security Council meetings.

They turned to another UN body - the 193-member General Assembly - to condemn the Kremlin's actions.