UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and harshly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at a Security Council meeting chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov.
At the meeting called by Russia to discuss “effective multilateralism,” Guterres sat next to Lavrov and openly criticized Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “violation of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and international law”, causing immense suffering and devastation to the country and its people, and seriously shaking the global economy.
The former Portuguese prime minister stressed that multilateral cooperation is the “beating heart of the United Nations”, as well as “its raison d’être and its guiding vision”.
Guterres also added that the world is facing historically high tensions between the great powers.
In response, Lavrov blamed the situation in Ukraine on the United States and its allies. “The UN is going through a deep crisis. The US has replaced international law with a certain order based on certain rules, in a policy that aims to destroy the architecture of the UN.”
Lavrov accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of “transforming” itself into a body working to “achieve the goals of the United States and its allies, including those of a military nature.” The Russian ruler also assumed that the way of the United States lies “destroy globalization, which for years has been elevated to the greatest benefit of all mankind”, further adding that the Americans were hypocritical in applying their norms in various situations around the world.
EU accuses Russia of cynicism for convening a UN meeting on multilateralism
Meanwhile, the European Union accused Russia of cynicism for convening a UN Security Council meeting on multilateralism, as Moscow had violated the organization’s Charter with its invasion of Ukraine.
“By organizing this debate, Russia is trying to present itself as a defender of the United Nations (UN) Charter and multilateralism. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is cynical. We all know that Russia is destroying, but it is build is. While they violate, we protect”the 27 EU member states said in a statement.
The Security Council met for an open ministerial-level debate on “Effective Multilateralism through Upholding the Principles of the UN Charter”, convened by Russia and chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
According to the EU, if Russia really cares about effective multilateralism, the first way to prove it would be “immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”.
“The international community must remain firmly committed to accountability for crimes committed in and against Ukraine,” the statement said.
“We want to emphasize that all efforts to support Ukraine are in addition to, not a substitute for, our global commitments. Maintaining rules-based order, a term Russia deliberately misunderstands, means respecting international law and the Charter of the UN and make sure these rules apply to everyone,” the note adds.
The 27 member states of the European Union also assured that they will be “relentless” in their commitment to upholding international law and working as a force for inclusive peace, sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights.
Russia, one of the Security Council’s five permanent members and veto power, this month assumed the rotating presidency of the body, which has the capacity to pass binding resolutions.
Lavrov traveled to New York as part of the Russian Presidency of the Security Council and will lead two debates there, on multilateralism and the Middle East.
The head of Russian diplomacy will also take the opportunity to discuss directly with UN Secretary General António Guterres the continuity of the Black Sea grain agreement and Moscow’s dissatisfaction with the non-compliance with certain aspects of the initiative to discuss.
Source: DN
