As Early as Tomorrow, Russia Will Take the Seat at the UN #unrussiaUN

Speakers and guests of the discussion. Source — UCBSS

On March 31, a discussion titled “The Chairmanship of an Aggressor State in the UN Security Council: Prospects for the Organization’s Future Work” took place in Brussels, organized by UCBSS and the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub.

The discussion focused on Russia’s upcoming chairmanship of the UN Security Council starting April 1. Speakers, including UCBSS International Cooperation Coordinator Solomiia Khoma, discussed possible UN reforms that could help revoke the membership of a terrorist state, as well as the role of civil society in countering Russian influence.

As early as tomorrow, the Russian Federation will assume the position of Chair of the UN Security Council for a one-month term. This means that Russia will hold a moderating role during Council meetings, which in turn allows Moscow to set the agenda and represent the organization in other international institutions. It will be Russia’s representative (Vasily Nebenzya) who will be able to speak on behalf of the UN, with his face symbolizing an organization that claims to stand for peace.

Read also: Campaign #unrussiaUN to expel Russia from the UN Security Council

UCBSS International Cooperation Coordinator Solomiia Khoma. Source — UCBSS

“Russia’s chairmanship demonstrates what the UN Security Council has become today. Yielding to Russian influence and manipulation by a terrorist state, the organization is no longer capable of preventing war crimes and aggression,” emphasized Solomiia Khoma.

While partisans undermine Russian rear positions in occupied territories and inside Russia itself, and Ukrainian diplomats work to increase military assistance from allies, the UN allows Russia to lead the international organization. The front of countering Russian agent networks, which are already reshaping public opinion in Western countries to their advantage, remains unaddressed.

“Just as Ukrainian soldiers are preparing for a counteroffensive, the world must also move from defense to offense. Now it is necessary not only to speak the truth about Ukraine’s struggle, but also to dismantle Russian agent networks before they begin operating at full scale, recruiting local citizens,” Solomiia Khoma concluded.

We thank Ukraine’s partners and the speakers of the discussion:

International Cooperation Coordinator of UCBSS Solomiia Khoma;
Head of the GLOBSEC office in Brussels Roland Freudenstein;
Head of the Brussels office of the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” Olga Chyzhova;
Representative of the Mission of Ukraine to the EU;
Interns of Members of the European Parliament and Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

The event was organized by the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation as part of the campaign to expel Russia from the UN Security Council #unrussiaUN