Ukraine calls to strip Russia of its permanent UN Security Council member status
Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, called on member states of the United Nations to find a political and legal mechanism to strip Russia of its permanent membership status in the Security Council.
Photo: Ulf Mauder / picture alliance via Getty Images
Melnyk stated this during the Security Council's open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, writes the BBC.
According to Melnyk, among all wars and conflicts in the world, Russian aggression against Ukraine "stands out for its cruelty and systematic nature of violence committed against the civilian population."
He noted that, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, from January to April 2026, the number of civilian casualties increased by 21% compared to the same period last year and by 93% compared to 2024.
"The first four months of this year have become the deadliest period for the Ukrainian civilian population ever," stated the Ukrainian diplomat.
Melnyk recalled that in winter, Russia systematically attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure, trying "to force millions of civilians to submit through cold."
Also, according to him, Russian troops use a "double-tap" tactic, where a second attack follows the first one – "only to kill medical personnel and rescuers."
"All legal obligations to protect civilians will ultimately remain empty words if acts of aggression and related war crimes are not punished," Melnyk emphasized, calling on Security Council members to find a way to strip Russia of its permanent UN Security Council member status.
Now reading
Belarusian woman married a London millionaire 41 years her senior. He left her $400 thousand with a condition of silence — but she sued for millions 2121
Comments