Removing Russia’s veto power in the UN: A complex challenge

The veto power of Russia in the United Nations Security Council has been a source of frustration and controversy for many years. It has allowed Russia to block resolutions that would have condemned its own actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

There are a number of proposals for how to reform the Security Council and its veto power, but none of them are easy to implement. Any amendment to the UN Charter requires the approval of two-thirds of the General Assembly members and the ratification of all five permanent members, including Russia itself. This means that Russia can effectively veto any change to its own veto power.

One proposal is to expand the number of permanent members of the Security Council to include more countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. This would make the Council more representative of the global community, but it could also make it more difficult to reach consensus and increase the number of vetoes.

Another proposal is to abolish or suspend the veto power in cases of mass atrocities, human rights violations or threats to international peace and security. This would allow the Council to act more decisively and preventively in situations where lives are at stake, but it could also raise questions about who decides when such cases apply and how to enforce them.

A third proposal is to give the General Assembly the power to override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote. This would make the Security Council more accountable to the wider UN membership, but it could also undermine its authority and legitimacy as the primary organ for maintaining international peace and security.

Finally, some have suggested introducing a collective veto or a double veto system, where a resolution would only be blocked if two or more permanent members vetoed it, or if one permanent member and a majority of non-permanent members vetoed it. This would reduce the possibility of unilateral vetoes by one country, but it could also create new alliances and conflicts among permanent members.

Removing or reforming Russia’s veto power in the UN is a complex and challenging task. It would require a lot of political will, compromise and cooperation among all UN members, especially among the permanent members themselves. It would also depend on how they perceive their own national interests and responsibilities in relation to global issues and challenges.

However, there is also a growing recognition that the Security Council needs to adapt to the changing world and to address new threats and opportunities. Many countries and leaders have called for a more effective, democratic and representative Council that can uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter .

In conclusion, removing or reforming Russia’s veto power in the UN is not impossible, but it is very difficult and complex. It would require a lot of dialogue, negotiation and consensus-building among all UN members. It would also require a vision and a commitment to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world for all.