Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently declined a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, signalling disapproval over Guterres’ visit to Russia and subsequent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This diplomatic decision by Zelensky comes as a reaction to Guterres’ attendance at a BRICS summit in Kazan, where the UN leader engaged in dialogue with Putin on international issues. The Ukrainian government has expressed concern that Guterres’ visit to Russia could be perceived as a gesture legitimising Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leadership considers Guterres’ actions contradictory, especially given the ongoing war triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion. Ukrainian officials contend that his readiness to engage with Russian authorities risks undermining the UN’s commitment to peace and sovereignty — principles Ukraine regards as fundamental and non-negotiable. This diplomatic response reflects Kyiv’s wider concern that, by meeting with Putin, the Secretary-General could inadvertently legitimise Russia’s actions.
Guterres’ absence from recent international peace forums has also raised questions among observers. Notably, he declined to attend a recent peace summit in Switzerland, which was attended by multiple heads of state and government from UN member countries. Ukrainian officials suggest that his presence there would have signalled greater commitment to peace-building efforts and to addressing the humanitarian and security implications of the Russia-Ukraine war. Guterres’ decision to attend the Kazan summit, however, has led to criticism in Kyiv, where it was seen as lending a degree of legitimacy to Russian leadership amid an ongoing war.
Guterres’ approach to international diplomacy has been scrutinised before. In the past, he has faced criticism for perceived “double standards” in addressing other global conflicts, notably in the Middle East. Recently, Israeli authorities declared Guterres persona non grata, citing alleged inconsistencies in his stance on Israel’s defence actions and his perceived leniency toward armed groups opposing Israel. Guterres’ meeting in Kazan with Putin, alongside Iranian President Masoud Pizachkian, has further stirred debate on the extent to which the UN should engage with states or leaders accused of promoting instability.
The UN, established in the aftermath of World War II, was structured around a consensus model that empowers the permanent members of the Security Council, including Russia and China, with veto power. This structure has often led to gridlock in situations where one of the permanent members is directly involved in a conflict or supports a conflicting party. With Russia’s permanent seat on the Security Council, diplomatic actions within the UN framework are constrained, as unilateral condemnation or sanctions are routinely vetoed by Russia itself.
The Ukrainian government faces a similar balancing act with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose recent interactions with both Zelensky and Putin underscore a unique political positioning within the European Union. Orbán’s visit to Kyiv was quickly followed by a meeting with Putin, a sequence which Kyiv interprets as a manoeuvre to appear neutral while maintaining ties with Russia. Orbán’s stance has raised concerns in Brussels, as Hungary’s veto power can impact Ukraine’s aspirations for further European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
At present, Hungary has already suspended contributions to the European Peace Facility’s financial support for Ukraine, underscoring the influence Orbán wields over EU decisions related to the war. As long as Orbán continues to balance his relationship between Russia and the EU, Ukraine’s path toward further European integration may face significant hurdles.
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