António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, arrived in Kazan, Russia, for the BRICS summit, despite facing sharp criticism from Ukraine and Lithuania. This visit, which was not previously announced, coincides with the start of the three-day summit, gathering the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Guterres’s decision to attend has been controversial, especially after he declined an invitation to participate in Ukraine’s Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Ukrainian officials expressed strong disapproval of Guterres’s choice to visit Russia, accusing him of undermining global peace efforts by accepting the invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been widely condemned for war crimes in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was outspoken in its criticism, stating: “The Secretary-General of the United Nations rejected an invitation to attend Ukraine’s Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, yet accepted an invitation to Kazan from war criminal Putin. This is a wrong choice that does not contribute to peace; it only harms the reputation of the UN.”
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis echoed this discontent, calling the UN chief’s visit to Russia “unacceptable” in a post on social media platform X.
UNacceptable https://t.co/cUeeh8d6mj
— Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) October 22, 2024
Guterres and Putin Expected to Meet Amid Ongoing Conflict
Reports from Radio Liberty confirm that Guterres is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin on 24 October, the final day of the BRICS summit, during a meeting on the sidelines. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin, announced the meeting to the press. However, there is little indication that the discussions will lead to any progress toward peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
“Despite the scheduled meeting between Guterres and Putin, there are no signs that either Kyiv or Moscow are ready for broader peace talks to end the conflict,” Radio Liberty reported. The protracted war between the two countries has so far seen limited diplomatic engagement, despite repeated calls from international figures, including Guterres, for a peaceful resolution.
Guterres has been critical of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, repeatedly warning that the ongoing war sets a dangerous precedent for global stability. He has consistently advocated for a just peace that respects international law and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
During an earlier meeting with Putin in April 2022, just two months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Guterres reiterated the UN’s commitment to humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation efforts from conflict zones. Yet, despite such engagements, little headway has been made in resolving the conflict.
UN’s Limitations in Global Conflicts
Guterres’s visit to Russia raises concerns about the ability of the United Nations to effectively address major conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the UN General Assembly last month, expressed frustration with the organisation’s lack of decisive action, particularly when a permanent member of the UN Security Council, such as Russia, uses its veto power.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible for the United Nations to truly and firmly resolve issues of war and peace. When the aggressor uses their veto power, the UN is powerless to stop the war,” Zelensky said, reflecting the broader frustrations with the organisation’s role in the ongoing war.
This deadlock has raised concerns about the UN’s ability to address situations where major powers are involved, especially when those powers are part of the Security Council. Critics argue that the UN requires significant reform to remain effective in a rapidly changing global political environment, particularly in conflicts involving Security Council members with veto power.
BRICS Summit: A Strategic Move by Russia?
Guterres’s attendance comes as Russia hosts 22 leaders from BRICS countries in Kazan, a summit viewed by many as a signal to the West amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The summit, described by some Western media as a “signal to the West,” reflects efforts by Russia and its BRICS allies to strengthen ties and potentially create a more unified bloc to counter Western influence.
Reuters reported that Russia is using the summit to push for the development of an alternative international payment system that would be immune to Western sanctions. This initiative is part of Russia’s broader strategy to build financial infrastructure that bypasses Western control and sanctions imposed in response to its actions in Ukraine.
While the White House has downplayed the importance of the BRICS summit, stating that it does not view the bloc as a threat, Western analysts have suggested that the meeting represents a potential shift in global alliances. The gathering is seen as an effort by Russia and its BRICS allies to consolidate their influence, particularly in light of the West’s united opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Image: Alexei Filippov / brics-russia2024.ru
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