“It’s really important to show that none of the nations in the world, are immune from prosecution if they commit the most horrible crimes”. Diplomat and former advisor to the Ukraine defence minister explains on TimesRadio why Ukraine is calling for Russia to be removed as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

KIEV DECEMBER 28: “It’s really important to show that none of the nations in the world… are immune from prosecution if they commit the most horrible crimes.” Diplomat and former advisor to the Ukraine defence minister Alexander Khara explains on TimesRadio why Ukraine is calling for Russia to be removed as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

A key reason the UN is limited from intervening in the war in Ukraine is because Russia remains a permanent member of the UN Security Council and can veto any resolution dealing with the conflict if it does not support its own interests.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation declared itself to be its legal successor. The country demanded the right to be represented in the UN security council instead of the Soviet Union and to receive the power of veto. However, this was not done according to any official UN procedure. 

According to the UN charter, membership in the organisation is open to all “peace-loving” states that shall refrain from the use of force and obey international law. If the Russian Federation were to apply to join the UN now, it would fail to meet these criteria.

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