No more veto right on UN Security Council soon? Russian invasion puts veto under pressure | Abroad

In that meeting with all 193 representatives, the country or countries that has or have used the right of veto must explain why this has been done. The resolution should put more pressure on the veto nations to waive their privilege to block any international law binding decision of the powerful UN Council.

Russia, China, US, Great Britain and France, the most powerful countries after World War II, were given that veto power as a compromise in the creation of the UN. Since 1946, it has been mainly used by the Russians and Americans, together more than two hundred times. China has been doing it more and more in recent years, but overall significantly less than Russia and the US. France and Great Britain last vetoed in 1989.

India, Germany, Japan and Brazil do not see the current balance of power in the world reflected in the Security Council and have been trying to realize a reform for years. The need for this became all the more clear recently with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a permanent member of the Council, the aggressor blocked any measure to appease the conflict. The calls for sanctions against Moscow or even for exclusion quickly grew louder.

However, according to the UN charter, that is virtually impossible, because Russia can also veto restrictions on its rights in the Security Council. The Russian delegate did not actively oppose the resolution during the general meeting on Tuesday, the US even voted in favor of it. The fact that they now have to justify their veto against all UN members may be annoying, but it does not diminish their power.