The spotlight is set on Ukraine’s President and Russia’s chief diplomat during the UN Security Council discussion set for Wednesday. The burning question: will they interact, confront, or simply bypass each other?
The central theme of this meeting revolves around the enforcement of the U.N. Charter in Ukraine. Antonio Guterres, the U.N. Secretary-General, was forthright in emphasizing that Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in February 2022 breached the fundamental principle of the Charter, which necessitates that the 193 U.N. members uphold each other’s sovereignty and territorial rights.
Addressing this session, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy labelled Russia’s actions as “unjustified and illicit aggression” which transgressed not only war norms but also the U.N. Charter. Notably absent during this address was Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with Vasily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. envoy, taking his place.
This meeting, held concurrently with the world leaders’ annual convention at the General Assembly, unfolds amidst a prolonged Ukrainian counter-assault. Zelenskyy, in pursuit of further Western military support, is en route to discussions in Washington with President Biden and Congressional leaders. Concurrently, reports suggest Russia is preparing for an extended conflict.
The Security Council, tasked with the preservation of global peace, has convened over 50 times to address the Ukrainian situation, usually with heated debates but no concrete results due to Russia’s anticipated veto of resolutions that critique its “special military operations.”
Since the conflict’s onset, Zelenskyy, once an actor, has emerged as an international icon, traversing the globe physically and digitally to champion Ukraine’s cause. In contrast, Lavrov, formerly Russia’s long-term representative to the U.N., remains a staunch advocate of Russia’s strategies, known for his stern demeanour.
There’s no certainty that Lavrov and Zelenskyy will meet face-to-face. Nonetheless, the mere chance of such an encounter underscores the heightened tension for the council, which has repeatedly grappled with the Ukraine issue.
Wednesday’s proceedings provide Russia an opportunity to counter Zelenskyy’s preceding impactful speech at the General Assembly, where he indicted Russia of weaponizing food, energy, and even children in the conflict, cautioning leaders of the global repercussions of such tactics.
Presiding over the council is Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, representing Albania, the current council president, who also selected the meeting’s theme.
By the council’s regulations, all 15 member nations – including the permanent members, the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, and France, as well as the 10 elected members – have the right to address the assembly. Numerous other countries have also enlisted to speak.
Ukraine faces pressure, notably from China, to initiate peace dialogues, given the extensive loss of life in the conflict.
Zelenskyy is likely to detail his 10-point peace strategy, proposing a tribunal for Russian war crimes and establishing a European-Atlantic security framework ensuring Ukraine’s independence.
Recalling last year, a heightened atmosphere persisted when Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba attended a council session. Their interaction was marked by visible tension and a lack of direct communication, amplified by disagreements over seating arrangements and sharp remarks exchanged post-meeting.
The intricacies of global diplomacy have never been more evident than in these charged U.N. meetings. As world leaders converge, the stakes are not just about seating arrangements or speeches, but the very essence of international peace and the futures of nations. As Ukraine and Russia remain at the forefront of these discussions, the world watches closely, hoping for resolutions that prioritize human lives and sovereignty over political maneuverings.
