Russia supports reforms to the UN Security Council that would increase the number of permanent members but otherwise rejects proposals to abolish veto powers, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
“We believe that the Security Council certainly needs to be reformed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing.
However, Peskov said, Moscow still believes “this institution of permanent Security Council members, as well as the right of veto, is a very important element of the entire structure of the United Nations.”
“And we maintain our commitment to this very important element,” he added.
His comments followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s renewed calls to abolish both permanent membership on the Security Council and the veto privilege ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly.
The Security Council has been paralyzed on a number of critical issues in recent years amid deep divisions between the five veto-wielding permanent members: France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and the United States.
Russia’s veto has prevented the Security Council from taking action to end the war in Ukraine.
On Monday, a French-Mexican initiative to restrict permanent members from using their veto in cases of mass atrocities gained traction after the United Kingdom signed on, leaving the non-binding declaration one vote short of a two-thirds majority among UN members.
At the UN General Assembly this week, the 15-member Security Council, which includes non-permanent members, may hold high-level meetings on AI and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, including talks with Arab leaders, diplomats said.
Reuters and AFP contributed reporting.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
