Zelensky’s criticism of the UN: A cry for help and a plea for reform

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been a vocal critic of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, for its failure to protect his country from Russian aggression. He has accused the U.N. of being ineffective, biased, and hypocritical in dealing with the crisis in Ukraine.

Zelensky’s main criticisms of the U.N. include:

• Russia’s veto power in the Security Council: Zelensky has called for suspending Russia’s veto power, arguing that it is impossible to stop the war when the aggressor can block any resolution. He has also suggested that countries that violate U.N. principles and invade other nations should be suspended from their seats in the council.
• No-fly zone over Ukraine: Zelensky has urged the U.N. to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying that it would prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
• Military assistance: Zelensky has asked for more military assistance from the U.S. and its allies, including warplanes, missiles, and drones.
• Slow and timid response: Zelensky has criticized the U.N. for being too slow and timid in responding to the Russian invasion, saying that it has failed to uphold its own charter and resolutions on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He has also accused some Western leaders of being afraid of confronting Russia and appeasing it with diplomatic gestures.

Zelensky’s criticism of the U.N. reflects his desperation and determination to defend his country from Russian aggression, as well as his dissatisfaction and disillusionment with the international community’s support for Ukraine. His criticism has also provoked some backlash and controversy, as some have accused him of being unrealistic, provocative, or even ungrateful.

However, Zelensky’s criticisms are also a valid and important call for reform of the U.N. The Security Council, in particular, is in need of reform to reflect the realities of the 21st century and to prevent it from being paralyzed by vetoes from permanent members. The U.N. also needs to be more proactive and decisive in responding to global crises, such as the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky’s courage and leadership in the face of Russian aggression have made him a global symbol of resistance. His criticism of the U.N. is a wake-up call for the international community to do more to support Ukraine and to uphold the principles of the U.N. Charter.

Zelensky’s criticism of the U.N. has also raised important questions about the role of the international organization in the 21st century. Is the U.N. still capable of preventing and resolving conflicts in a world where great powers are increasingly willing to use force to achieve their objectives? Is the Security Council still relevant in a world where its permanent members are often divided?

These are difficult questions with no easy answers. However, Zelensky’s criticism is a reminder that the U.N. is not perfect and that it needs to be reformed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The international community must also do more to support the U.N. and to uphold its principles.

Here are some specific ways in which the U.N. could be reformed:

• Reduce the veto power of permanent members of the Security Council: This would make it more difficult for a single country to block action on important issues. Zelensky supported a suggestion, which has been championed by France in the past, that in case of “mass atrocities against human rights” the veto powers of the permanent members should be voluntarily suspended1. He also argued that the UN general assembly should have the power to override a security council veto, with a two-thirds majority.
• Expand the Security Council to include more representation from developing countries: This would reflect the realities of the 21st century and give developing countries a greater voice in global decision-making. Zelensky threw his weight behind widespread and growing calls for the expansion of the security council to accommodate more permanent members, giving broader representation for Asia, a seat for the African Union, the Islamic world, and Germany.
• Strengthen the U.N.’s capacity for conflict prevention and peacebuilding: This would help to address the root causes of conflict and prevent violence from breaking out in the first place. The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has made proposals to reform the U.N. since the beginning of his term in January 2017. One of his goals is to prioritize prevention and sustaining peace, and to move towards a single, integrated peace and security pillar.
• Provide more resources for U.N. peacekeeping operations: This would allow the U.N. to deploy more peacekeepers to conflict zones and to respond more effectively to crises. The European Union is a permanent observer at the U.N., and is one of three non-member-states permitted to speak at the General Debate. The EU expressed its support for providing more resources for U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The U.N. is an essential institution for maintaining international peace and security. However, it needs to be reformed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Zelensky’s criticism of the U.N. is a reminder that we must all work together to make the U.N. more effective and to uphold its principles.