UNITED NATIONS, New York: The UN Security Council witnessed a high-stakes confrontation on Wednesday when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first in-person appearance, drawing global attention to Russia's ongoing incursion into Ukraine during the 78th session of the General Assembly.
However, tensions flared as Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia challenged Zelenskyy's right to address the assembly at the session's outset, leading to a contentious meeting.
The special session of the UN's most powerful body, titled "Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism: maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine", was chaired by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who currently presides over the council and had selected the meeting's topic.
Nebenzia questioned why Zelenskyy, representing a non-member of the UN Security Council, had been granted the privilege of addressing the assembly before the 15 Security Council members.
This group comprises the five permanent members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
Dear @EdiRamaal, today at the UNSC you showed the world how to correctly handle Russia, its lies, and its hypocrisy. I thank you for steering the Presidency in such a principled manner. pic.twitter.com/0wKca8xZon
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2023
Speaking through an interpreter, Nebenzia asked, "On what basis are you (Rama) proposing to grant President Zelenskyy the floor ahead of council members, many of whom are represented by heads of states and governments?"
He accused the Albanian leadership of showing "open disregard for the procedures and practices of the UN Security Council."
In a witty response to Moscow, which had consistently referred to the invasion as a "special military operation" rather than a war, Rama delivered a pointed remark that drew muted laughter from those present in the chamber.
"I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation orchestrated by the Albanian presidency," Rama said.
Another heated exchange erupted in the chamber after Nebenzia referred to Rama as Albania's Prime Minister and a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) member.
Nebenzia expressed regret over the Albanian presidency's "blatant disregard" for established procedures, alleging that they had prioritised their Nato political and ideological beliefs over the obligations of the President's Executive Council, which should maintain impartiality.
"Unfortunately, Albania has been unable to manage this today," Nebenzia said.
Rama retorted by saying, "I must say that coming from you, this lecture on violating the rules in this building is quite an impressive shot."
Directing his words squarely at Nebenzia, he said: "There is a solution for this. If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor.
"So, what makes him (Zelenskyy's presence) important here, and why it is important for all of us to hear him first and then discuss it, is determined by you, not us. Thank you very much. I take note, and we'll continue with our session."
The back-and-forth lasted about 13 minutes before Rama invited UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deliver his remarks, which happened after he asked Russia, "Can we now, with your (Nebenzia's) permission, continue the session normally?"
After the session, Zelenskyy thanked Rama on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: "Today, at the UNSC, you showed the world how to correctly handle Russia, its lies, and its hypocrisy. I thank you for steering the Presidency in such a principled manner."
The High-level open debate aimed to address the implications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine with regard to multilateralism based on international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and to consider all the necessary collective efforts to reinforce the international rules-based order and strengthen multilateralism.
The meeting aimed to invoke the need to work together to prevent future violations of international law and to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts through diplomatic means and dialogue.
ZELENSKYY: REMOVE RUSSIA'S VETO POWER, BROADEN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Zelenskyy, when given the floor, called for the removal of Russia's veto power as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, citing it as a punitive measure for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
"All in the world see what makes the UN incapable unfortunately.
"This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash the aggression and genocide being carried out by Russia," he said.
The Ukrainian President didn't stop at condemning Russia; he outlined a comprehensive vision for reforming the UN system to make it more representative and responsive to global crises.
Zelenskyy advocated for empowering the General Assembly with "real power" to overcome the veto power wielded by permanent members.
He underlined the urgency of this step in resolving conflicts, asserting, "It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor."
He said while seated behind the Ukraine plaque at the Security Council's horseshoe-shaped table and wearing his trademark army-green colour outfit.
Zelenskyy further called for an expansion of the Security Council's permanent membership to better reflect the current realities and justice.
He proposed the inclusion of countries like Germany, Japan, and India, emphasising the need to address the underrepresentation of diverse regions in the Council.
"Ukraine considers it unjust when billions of people do not have their permanent representation in the Security Council," he said, while advocating for permanent seats for the African Union, broader Asian representation, and inclusion of other key global players including from Latin America and the Pacific States.
He also urged the establishment of a mechanism for early responses to actions violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, including the imposition of sanctions on potential aggressors.
Zelenskyy argued that the prevention of aggression should be a collective effort, with the UN playing a central role in maintaining global peace and security.
"Five hundred and forty seven days of full-fledged Russian aggression means 547 reasons for changes in this chamber.
"Veto should not serve as a weapon for those who are obsessed with hatred and war.
"What we observe in the UN is an increasing support for the idea that in cases of mass atrocities veto power should be voluntarily suspended. But we also observe that Russia will not give up this stolen privilege voluntarily.
"Ukrainian soldiers are currently doing at the expense of their blood what the UN Security Council should do by its voting – they are stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the UN Charter."
In recent months, Zelenskyy has adopted a strategy that diverges from allowing his government to be depicted as "opposing peace."
Instead, he has initiated his own effort aimed at achieving a resolution based on the principles outlined in the UN Charter, which emphasise national sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles that almost all UN member states claim to uphold.
BLINKEN CONDEMNS RUSSIA'S BRAZEN VIOLATIONS
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a searing indictment of Russia's actions, accusing the country of systematically disregarding fundamental tenets of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international humanitarian law.
He further emphasised that Russia has consistently flouted numerous Security Council resolutions over the past 18 months.
Blinken framed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a struggle between aggressors and victims, underscoring that one side is actively undermining the core principles of the UN Charter, while the other is striving to protect and uphold them.
"It's hard to imagine a country demonstrating more contempt for the UN and all that it stands for - this from a country with a permanent seat on this council.
"Russian President Vladimir Putin is betting that if he keeps doubling down on the violence, that if he's willing to inflict enough suffering on enough people, the world will cave on its principles and Ukraine will stop defending itself.
"But Ukrainians are not giving up for they've seen what life would look like if they submit to Russian control."
He specifically highlighted Russia's invasion as a direct violation of the UN Charter's core principle - the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
Blinken further condemned Russia's ongoing perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, actions he claimed occur nearly daily.
"Russia continues to engage in reckless nuclear saber-rattling, announcing that it's stationing nuclear weapons in Belarus and continuing to use Europe's biggest nuclear power plant and its employees as a shield for its aggression, risking catastrophic consequences.
"Russia is also weaponising hunger. Russia is using Iranian drones to attack Ukrainian civilians, drones that Russia procured from Iran in violation of Security Council Resolution 2231."
Blinken also criticised Russia for hosting North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, revealing that Putin had discussed potential military cooperation during their meeting.
Blinken stressed that Putin had openly declared from the outset the attack is aimed at erasing Ukraine from the map as a sovereign country and restoring Russia's lost empire.
LAVROV ACCUSES WEST OF SELECTIVE ADHERENCE TO UN VALUES, WARNS OF GLOBAL STABILITY THREAT
Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who avoided a face-to-face encounter with Zelenskyy by appearing after the Ukrainian had left, criticised several nations.
His criticism was primarily directed at the US and Europe, accusing them of failing to uphold core UN values, including the principle of non-interference in a country's internal affairs.
"Today, the West turns selectively to norms and principles on a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs," Lavrov said.
"This has resulted in a shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fomenting of new hotbeds of tension, (and) risks of global conflict."
He said, "the US and its satellites have egregiously and openly interfered in the domestic affairs of Ukraine," heightening the risks of global conflict.
Lavrov maintained that Russia has consistently and comprehensively adhered to the provisions of the UN Charter, asserting that its commitment to these principles is deeply interconnected and integral to its foreign policy.
GLOBAL LEADERS DENOUNCE RUSSIA'S ACTIONS IN UKRAINE
Leaders from across the globe, including representatives from China, Ecuador, Ghana, Switzerland, and Japan, joined the chorus of international condemnation against Russia's actions in Ukraine during the open debate.
Their statements serve as a resounding collective denunciation of the severe consequences of the ongoing conflict and its flagrant disregard for international law and the UN Charter.
China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the Ukraine crisis, emphasising its detrimental effects on world economic recovery, global development, and critical areas such as food, energy, and financial security.
"Developing countries are the first to bear the blunt brunt.
"Relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction and protect the security and the smooth operation of global production and supply chains," Ma said, taking a dig at the US and Europe.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso drew attention to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.
"When this organization was built, we the peoples of the UN determined to preserve and spare future generations from the scourge of war.
"How can we uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter for effective multilateralism and at the same time invade a neighbouring country or not condemn that invasion?"
Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo unequivocally labeled Russia's aggression against Ukraine as "plainly wrong" and pointed out the devastating toll it exacts on innocent lives worldwide.
"The only pathway for a comprehensive peace ... is one that must be just and based on the charter of the United Nations, and international law."
Swiss President Alain Berset minced no words in condemning Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, describing it as a massive violation of the UN Charter.
"Yet Russia ... has been denying its responsibility. Its responsibility for the thousands of dead and wounded in Ukraine. Its responsibility for the millions of displaced persons.
"And finally its responsibility for all those plunged into deep insecurity wherever they are in the world, including incidentally in Russia."
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida joined the chorus, offering the strongest condemnation of Russia's actions and its clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
"The aggression must be stopped immediately and the troops must be withdrawn, right now, and unconditionally.
"The occupation and militarisation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant pose a threat to world peace and stability. Russia's nuclear threats, let alone its use of nuclear weapons, are unacceptable."
NST specialist writer Tharanya Arumugam is a 2023 fellow of the United Nations Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship.