Analysing The Working Of The United Nations Security Council Amidst The Russia-Ukraine War
Author: LawSphereX
Category: International Law
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ANALYSING THE WORKING OF THE UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL AMIDST THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE
WAR
Dr. Nitish Kumar Sharma, Assistant Professor, Bahra University, Waknaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
ABSTRACT
In accordance with the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Security Council was founded in 1946 and oversees preserving world peace and security. It constitutes one of the Principal Organs of the United Nations. The UN was formed after World War 2 “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. 1The first purpose of the UN is “To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.
”2 But still, after the formation of the United Nations in 1945, the world has witnessed various armed conflicts from time to time. And presently, the most serious threat posed to international peace and security is the Russia-Ukraine war. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to analyse the role of the Security Council in mitigating tensions between the nations which are against each other, with special emphasis on Russia and Ukraine war. Further, to look into the challenges being faced by the United Nations Security Council to work freely and independently.
1 The United Nations Charter
2 Id., art. 1
1.0 Introduction The resources of mother nature are unevenly distributed among different nations. Therefore, interaction between the nations to meet out the scarcity of resources is inevitable. Apart from just the economic point of view, political and military aspects play one of the major roles in facilitating interaction between nations. It started way back around 16th century in the continent of Europe when the concept of World Community was brought into existence in order to bring European nations together so that they can collaborate on economic, military and political related matters and can ensure the collective growth. Consequently, interaction between the nations started increasing leading to the organization of various meetings such as: A. The Congress of Westphalia, 1648
B. Congress of Vienna, (September 1814 – June 1815)
C. Congress of Paris, 1856
D. First Hague Conference, 1899
E. Second Hague Conference, 1907
F. The Declaration of London, 1909
The common objective was to enable the participation of more and more nations throughout the world so that an understanding can be established on various matters pertaining to international environment governing the behaviour of nations. But right from the beginning, international environment has never remained in a stable peaceful state due to conflicting interests of nations from time to time. It is clear from the two World Wars witnessed by the entire world community. The First World War, also referred to as the Great War, started in Europe and soon engulfed numerous countries worldwide. It resulted in the deployment of over 70 million military people worldwide and lasted from July 29, 1914, to November 11, 1918. This was one of the deadliest and biggest wars in history. The war directly resulted in the deaths of seven million civilians and nine million fighters.
At least 50 million more people died because of the 1918 influenza pandemic and other genocides. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed on June 28, 1919,
marked the formal end of World War I. The goal of the Treaty of Versailles was to keep the world from starting another conflict. At the conclusion of World War I, the Allied Powers founded the League of Nations in January 1920, an organisation for global collaboration. 3 Formulated at the Paris Peace Conference (1919) and included in the Treaty of Versailles, the League's covenant encapsulated the ideas of collective security and established an Assembly, a Council, and a Secretariat as its principal organs. The covenant had its headquarters in Geneva and established a system of colonial mandates. Several fundamental flaws in the League of Nations ultimately contributed to its dissolution. Although the League was intended to represent the entire world and all nations, several nations—of which the United States was the most prevalent—never even joined.
Some members ended their membership after only a brief period. Many historians think that there would have been far more assistance in averting wars if America had joined the League. 4 The League's requirements for collective security clashed with the member nations' foreign relations. The League relied on its members to act because it lacked an armed force of its own, but none of the member nations were prepared for another conflict and refused to offer military assistance. The League lacked the authority to stop nations from attacking one another to grow. 5 And finally, the Second World War broke out in the year
1939 marking the end of the League of Nations.
The Second World War, which raged for six years and involved 113 nations from six continents, is regarded as one of the bloodiest wars in recent history. Beginning in 1939, the Allied powers—primarily the United States, Russia, and Britain—sought to halt Nazi Germany's advance towards dominance of Europe. By 1945, a whole race of people had nearly been exterminated, Western Europe had been overrun, and the balance of power in many of the participating nations was set to shift forever. 6 Adolf Hitler, who was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933, was the leader of the Nazi party, which promoted nationalism, racial supremacy, and the annihilation of anybody who opposed them. Germany's diplomatic options were restricted by the Treaty of Versailles, which was established in 1919, and the Nazis violated a number of 1919-established regulations in the 1930s.
This alarmed the Allies, and France and Britain declared war on Germany in
3 World War 1 Summary, available at: https://thehistoryjunkie.com (last visited on March 16, 2025).
4 Why Did the League of Nations Fail? available at: https_www.historyonthenet.com (last visited on March 16, 2025).
5 Ibid.
6 World War 2 Summary, available at: https_worldwar2.org.uk (last visited on March 16, 2025)
response to the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939. 7 The next phase was turbulent for six years. Hitler's primary goal as leader of Germany was to exterminate the Jewish people, and the Nazis had already put in place several anti-Semitic laws prior to the start of the war. With the Nazis creating Jewish ghettos in Poland in 1940 and the concentration camps in 1942, things progressively deteriorated. Six million Jews are thought to have perished under Hitler's rule. The Nazis also targeted other social minorities, such as communists, Romani, homosexuals, and those with impairments. Hitler had killed himself by May 1945, and the Nazi government had fallen. When Japan submitted in August 1945, the Allies had won the war. The Western and Eastern Allies partitioned all of the land that Germany had claimed, and Germany itself was separated as well.
Due to the negative connotations of colonialism left by the Nazi dictatorship, many other nations that had formerly bragged of empires lost their own territory in the years that followed. It is estimated that the fight claimed the lives of almost 73 million people, and the economic effects persisted for decades after peace was declared in all the participating nations. 8 2. 0 Evolution of The United Nations While the League of Nations was established after World War I to maintain international peace and security and to promote international cooperation among states, the League failed in its endeavours and was unable to prevent the Second World War. During the Second World War, the Big Powers began to work towards the establishment of the United Nations, and their tireless efforts paid off when 51 States adopted and signed the United Nations Charter on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco.
The world saw two devastating world wars that severely damaged the world community. Until the required number of countries ratified the Charter, it could not take effect right away. The United Nations was established on October 24, 1945, which allowed for the fulfilment of this condition. 9 Here is the brief summary of events that led to the establishment of the United Nations: (1) The Declaration of St. James Palace Nine European governments were in exile in England in June 1941. Together with
7 Ibid.
8 Supra note 6 at 3.
9 S.P. Gupta, International Organisation 29 (Allahabad Law Agency, Haryana, 3rd edn.,2012)
General De Gaulle of France, these exiled governments from Greece, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa convened at James Palace in London. They stated their intention to create an organisation for global peace and security in a declaration released on June 12, 1941. 10 (2) The Atlantic Charter The United States of America and Great Britain's August 14, 1941, adoption of the Atlantic Charter was the second significant event in this approach. On a ship in the Atlantic Ocean, American President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter, which calls for working together to overthrow the Nazi regime and create a long-term system of universal security.
They concurred that the interests of nations that value peace would not be restored unless the weight of weapons that threaten or could threaten aggression beyond the borders of the aggressor-government is removed. 11 (3) The United Nations Declaration Twenty countries, including US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, USSR President Maxim Litvinov, and Chinese President T. V. Soong, endorsed and ratified the United Nations Declaration on January 1, 1942. States agreed not to enter any treaties with several States, although they did promise to cooperate with one another in this proclamation. The phrase "United Nations" was used in a declaration of this nature for the first time. 12 (4) The Moscow Declaration Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China signed the Moscow Declaration on October 30, 1943.
This statement included a more detailed commitment that the governments listed above who attended the conference acknowledged "the necessity of establishing at the earliest practicable date a general international Organisation based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all peace-
10 Supra note 9 at 4.
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid.
loving States and which is open to membership by all such States, large and small, for the maintenance of international peace and security. " 13 (5) The Tehran Conference This equally significant conference was held on December 1, 1943, in Tehran. Russian Prime Minister Stalin, American President Roosevelt, and British Prime Minister Churchill were present. During this summit, a statement was delivered that highlighted the necessity of creating an international organisation that can uphold global peace and security. In this conference a declaration was made, which is as follows: "We are sure that our concord will win an enduring peace. We recognise fully the supreme responsibility resting upon us and all the United Nations to make a peace which will command the good will of the overwhelming amasses of the peoples of World and banish the scourge and terror of war for many generations.
"14 (6) The Dumbarton Oaks Conference The representatives of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain convened at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington from August 21 to September 28, 1944, in response to the Declaration of Tehran and the Moscow Declaration. There were two stages to this meeting. The delegates of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain convened, took part in, and approved suggestions for the creation of a comprehensive international organisation during the first phase. The representatives of China, the United States, and Great Britain convened and took part in the second phase. Because all aspects of the proposed organization's constitution, functions, and main organs were thoroughly examined, this conference is significant.
Additionally, the representatives of the United States, China, the Soviet Union, and the Great Britain ultimately presented their recommendations for ratification by their respective governments. Their suggestions concerned the foundation of the United Nations Charter. They decided that upholding international peace and security would be the organization's principal duty. It would be founded on the idea that all states that value peace are equal and sovereign. These nations concurred that the proposed organisation would include an International Court of Justice, a Secretariat, a Trusteeship Council, a Security Council, an Economic
13 Ibid.
14 S.P. Gupta, International Organisation 30 (Allahabad Law Agency, Haryana, 3rd edn.,2012)
and Social Council, and a General Assembly. Nevertheless, at the San Francisco Conference, all of these issues were ultimately settled. 15 (7) The Yalta Conference In addition to American President Roosevelt and Russian Prime Minister Stalin, the foreign ministers and military leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain represented their countries at the Yalta Conference. Unresolved issues from the Dumbarton Oaks conference were also settled at this session, which also finalised the United Nations' ultimate form. The next meeting was scheduled to take place in San Francisco on April 25, 1945. 16 (8) The San Francisco Conference Fifty-one states attended this summit. This conference resulted in the unanimous adoption of the U. N. Charter. The approval of the Charter was greatly aided by this conference.
The dates of this conference were April 25, 1945, to June 26, 1945. At the conclusion of the conference, the participating states ratified the United Nations Charter. However, in addition to the majority of other states signing and ratifying the international convention, the Charter could not take effect unless China, France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union did. Before the Charter was ratified by the governments of all 51 states who attended this summit on October 24, 1945, this job could not be completed. These 51 nations were the founding members of the United Nations. However, there are currently 193 members of the United Nations. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the most recent state to be admitted as a member of the United Nations. All states that value peace are welcome to join.
With nearly every state in the world community as a member, the United Nations has a more universal character than the League of Nations. In the true sense of the word, it is now a universal international organisation. 17 3. 0 The United Nations Security Council The United Nations gives the world's independent governments a forum to talk about
15 Ibid.
16 S.P. Gupta, International Organisation 31 (Allahabad Law Agency, Haryana, 3rd edn.,2012)
17 Ibid.
global issues that impact people both personally and collectively. The United Nations seeks peaceful solutions to problems, disputes, and emergencies. The rights and obligations of member nations are outlined in the United Nations Charter. Chapter III of the Charter of the United Nations under Article 7 provides the name of the Principal Organs of the United Nations such as:
1) The General Assembly
2) The Security Council
3) The Economic and Social Council
4) The Trusteeship Council
5) The International Court of Justice
6) The Secretariat
The General Assembly The principal policy-making and representational body of the United Nations is the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It is the only UN body that has representation from every member. Thus, all 193 of the member nations are represented. The President leads the General Assembly and is elected to a one-year term. The headquarters of the General Assembly are located in New York, USA. Every year in September, the UNGA meeting is held. Depending on the tasks, the Assembly also convenes at various times during the year. The UNGA has the authority to advise nations on issues under its purview.18 Functions of the United Nations General Assembly: a. Examine and approve the UN budget and determine each member nation's financial evaluation. 18 United Nations (UN) Principal Organs - An Overview, available at: https://byjus.com// (last visited on March 19, 2025).
b. Choose the Secretary-General based on the UNSC's proposal and elect the nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council and other UN bodies and councils. c. Examine and offer suggestions regarding the general cooperative principles for preserving world peace and security, including disarmament. d. Talk about any issue pertaining to global peace and security. e. Talk about any issue that falls under the purview of the UN Charter; carry out research and offer suggestions to promote international cooperation in the social, economic, cultural, humanitarian, health, and educational domains; the codification and advancement of international law; the realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. f. Provide suggestions for the amicable resolution of any dispute that could jeopardise goodwill among nations. g. Take into account the reports of the various UN bodies.
19 - The Security Council The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is primarily in charge of preserving world peace and security. Five of the 15 nations that make up the UNSC are permanent members. The General Assembly elects the ten non-permanent members on a regional basis for two-year terms. Of the ten temporary members, two are from Latin America, one is from Eastern Europe, two are from Western Europe, and five are from Asia or Africa. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China are the five permanent members. For the Council to make decisions, nine of the fifteen members must vote "yes. " The resolution is not passed, nevertheless, if any of the permanent members use their veto authority and vote "no. " Every permanent member of the UNSC has the ability to veto any resolution. This is thought to be the UN's most undemocratic aspect.
However, the United States of
19 Supra note 18
America refused to join the UN during its inception unless it was granted the authority to veto. The United States' absence contributed to the League of Nations' inefficiency. Thus, this US condition was approved. The veto power of the permanent members is also criticised for being the reason why many disputes cannot be settled. The decisions made by the Council are legally binding and must be implemented by the UNSC members. New York is home to the UNSC's headquarters. 20 - The Economic and Social Council In addition to implementing globally accepted development goals, the Economic and Social Council is the primary organisation in charge of coordination, policy evaluation, policy discourse, and recommendations on social, economic, and environmental issues.
It oversees subsidiary and expert bodies and acts as the main hub for UN system and specialised agency operations in the economic, social, and environmental domains. It is the primary forum for introspection, discussion, and creative thinking on sustainable development inside the UN. 21 The General Assembly elects the members of the
ECOSOC.22
Each member of the ECOSOC has one vote, and voting is done by simple majority. The ECOSOC coordinates the activities of the UN's specialised agencies, including the ILO, UNICEF, FAO, and UNESCO. The ECOSOC is based in New York and has a one-year term as president.23 - The Trusteeship Council In order to oversee the 11 Trust Territories following World War II, the Trusteeship Council was created in 1945 in accordance with the UN Charter. These were formerly dependent territories or colonies. Numerous territories have gained independence and self-government since the Council's formation. In 1994, Palau became the final Trust Territory to gain its independence. As a result, the Trusteeship Council resolved to halt
20 Ibid.
21 United Nations (UN) Principal Organs - An Overview, available at: https://byjus.com// (last visited on March 19, 2025).
22 Ibid.
23 Ibid.
activities in 1994 and hold meetings only when necessary. 24 - The International Court of Justice The principal court of the United Nations is the International Court of Justice. The Hague, Netherlands, is home to the ICJ's seat. (It is the only primary organ of the United Nations that is not based in New York, USA. ) The International Court of Justice immediately recognises all 193 UN members as parties. The roles of the ICJ is to resolve cases brought before it by States in conformity with International Law. It also provides advisory opinions on legal matters that have been referred to it by internationally recognised bodies and agencies. 25 - The Secretariat The UN Secretary-General and the hundreds of employees who work at the UN headquarters in New York make up the Secretariat. The UN's senior administrative officer is the Secretary-General.
On the UNSC's proposal, the GA appoints the Secretary-General. His or her term is renewable for another five years. António Guterres, a Portuguese national, is the ninth and current Secretary-General. Any matter that poses a risk to global peace and security may be brought to the UNSC's attention by the secretary-general. Depending on the position, both local and foreign candidates are hired by the Secretariat. They are employed in stations across the globe. Their activities include hosting international conferences, mediating international conflicts, conducting peacekeeping missions, analysing social and economic trends, and establishing the framework for international accords.
There are five regional commissions within the Secretariat: i) Economic Commission for Africa, or ECA ii) Economic Commission for Europe, or ECE iii) The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Commission, or ECLAC
24 Ibid.
25 Ibid.
iv) and the Pacific Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP) v) Western Asia's Economic and Social Commission (ESCWA)26 4. 0 The United Nations Security Council & Russia – Ukraine War 4. 1 Russia – Ukraine War (Background) The confrontation between Russia and Ukraine has made headlines. Russia gathered a sizable force close to the Ukraine-Russia border, raising fears of a potential takeover of Ukraine and an imminent conflict between the two nations. But its important to understand how the conflict started between the Nations. This is how the story goes: Russia released an eight-point draft security pact for the West in December 2021. Resolving European tensions, especially the Ukrainian issue, was the goal of the plan.
However, it contained contentious clauses that prohibited Ukraine from joining NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), limited the organization's ability to grow further, prohibited regional drills, and more. As Russian troops increased along the Russia-Ukraine border, tensions increased, and draft negotiations repeatedly broke down. The problem has made headlines 26 United Nations (UN) Principal Organs - An Overview, available at: https://byjus. com// (last visited on March 19, 2025).
around the world and has been called a "third world war" or even a new "cold war. " With an area of more than 6 lakh square kilometres and a population of over 40 million, Ukraine is the eighth most populous country in Europe and the second largest by area. Ukraine shares borders with Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova in the west, and Russia in the east. Additionally, it shares a marine border with the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union were among the various rulers of Ukraine. After the Soviet Union fell apart, it became independent in 1991. 27 The Orange Revolution was the name given to the protests and civil unrest that followed Ukraine's 2004 presidential election. The Supreme Court upheld the protesters' allegations of vote fraud and corruption and thus declared the election results void.
After the re-election, Viktor Yushchenko was proclaimed the victor. The term comes from his campaign's orange colour scheme. The Euromaidan movement, also known as the Revolution of Dignity, garnered national prominence in 2014. The overthrow of then-President Viktor Yanukovych and the reinstatement of the 2004 constitutional amendments were among the objectives of the civil unrests. 28 Crimea is an Eastern European peninsula on the Black Sea's northern shore. Most of the population is ethnically Russian, but there are also Crimeans and Ukrainians. The Russian empire annexed Crimea in the 18th century. Crimea gained autonomy within the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution. Crimea was given to Ukraine in 1954 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who was born in Ukraine. But since then, there has been disagreement on Crimea's status.
Following the Ukrainian Revolution, Russian forces were stationed in Crimea in February 2014. Ninety percent of voters supported joining Russia in a March referendum on reunification. In March 2014, Russia formally annexed Crimea in defiance of Ukrainian objections. Civil unrest broke out in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas (collectively known as the Donbas region) in Eastern Ukraine, which borders Russia, after the 2014 Ukraine revolution and the Euromaidan movement. Russia has allegedly supported anti-government efforts in several areas, where Russians make up the majority of the population. Armed conflicts broke
27 Russia-Ukraine Conflict, available at: https_www.clearias.com (last visited on March 19,2025).
28 Ibid.
out in the area between Ukrainian forces and militants supported by Russia. 29 Following negotiations, the Trilateral Contact Group including Ukraine, Russia, and the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) signed the Minsk protocol (Minsk I) in September 2014. It's a 12-point ceasefire agreement that includes things like exchanging prisoners, removing weapons, and providing humanitarian relief. However, once both parties violated the agreement, it fell through. In 2015, the parties signed a second protocol known as Minsk II. It contained clauses that would give the rebel-controlled areas more authority. However, because of the disputes between Russia and Ukraine, the stipulations are still not being implemented.
The largest security-focused intergovernmental organisation in the world with observer status at the UN is the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Austria's Vienna serves as its base. Its 57 members come from North America, Asia, and Europe. India is not a part of this. Consensus is used to make decisions. Its mandate covers topics including fair elections, press freedom, human rights advocacy, and armaments control. It began with the Helsinki, Finland-hosted Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in the middle of 1975. CSCE changed its name to OSCE in 1994. It was established as an East-West conference during the Cold War. All of the earlier problems are connected to the most recent instance of the Russian troop display close to the Ukrainian border. Ukraine is important not only to Russia but also to the US and the EU.
Although Ukraine and Russia have centuries-old cultural links, the US and EU view Ukraine as a barrier between Russia and the West. Russia wants the West to guarantee that Ukraine won't join NATO, which has anti-Russian views. However, the US appears unwilling to compromise on Russia's demands. Volodymyr Zelensky, the recently elected president of Ukraine, has been acting against Moscow's interests and has been tough on Russian allies in Ukraine. 30 Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is quite interested in Ukraine. According to Putin, the "red line" that the West must not cross is Ukraine. 4. 2 Response of The United Nations Security Council to Russia – Ukraine War As the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, the Security Council adopts Resolution 2774 (2025) with 10 votes in favour and 5 abstentions, lamenting the loss of life.
Members call for a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace between the two countries.
29 Russia-Ukraine Conflict, available at: https_www.clearias.com (last visited on March 19,2025).
30 Russia-Ukraine Conflict, available at: https_www.clearias.com (last visited on March 19,2025).
On 24th February,2025 the Security Council passed a resolution lamenting the terrible deaths and restating that the United Nation's basic goal is to uphold global peace and security and resolve conflicts amicably. Before the vote, the representative of the United States said that the Council stands on “the precipice of history with a solemn task — creating conditions to end the bloodiest war on the European continent” since the organ was created in June 1945. Noting that her country’s draft text is “a symbolic, simple first step towards peace”, she added that it “is not a peace deal”. Rather, it represents a path to peace, and she urged all Council members to join the United States in vanquishing the scourge of this war. The UK ambassador emphasised: “There can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war.
” Moscow chose to launch a war of aggression, and “the Council must be clear on this”, she stressed. “We must also be clear that peace must respect the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” she added, proposing several amendments to the text on behalf of the Council members who ultimately abstained from the vote on the text. France’s delegate noted such proposed amendments demonstrate “our resolute commitment — after three years of war — to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”. He did, however, emphasise that peace cannot be equated with the aggrieved state's surrender. Since the Russian Federation attacked a sovereign state that presented no threat to it, he said, the revisions also seek to remind people that there is an aggressor and an aggressed state.
31 The representative of the Russian Federation, for his part, said: “We consider it, overall, as a common-sense initiative. ” It reflects, he said, the desire of the new United States Administration to “really contribute”. He also proposed several amendments, including inserting language regarding the need to “eradicate the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis”. On the amendments proposed by the European Council members, he said they “replace the essence of the American text and make it into another anti-Russia ultimatum”. 32 Due to the Russian Federation's veto or the fact that none of the five proposed amendments received the necessary number of votes, none of them were approved.
The United States envoy praised the Council members' support of the resolution after the unaltered wording was 31 With 10 Votes in Favour, 5 Abstentions, Security Council Adopts Resolution 2774 (2025) Mourning Loss of Life, as Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Enters Fourth Year, available at: https://press. un. org/ (last visited on March 29, 2025). 32 With 10 Votes in Favour, 5 Abstentions, Security Council Adopts Resolution 2774 (2025) Mourning Loss of Life, as Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Enters Fourth Year, available at: https://press. un. org/ (last visited on March 29, 2025).
adopted, highlighting the first Council action on Ukraine in three years to firmly call for an end to the war. “This resolution puts us on the path to peace,” It's a first step, but it's an important one, she confirmed. Now, the Council needs to use it to create a peaceful future for the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the global community. Other Council Members express concerns despite supporting the text overall. The representative of France, however, said that, while his country is “fully committed to peace in Ukraine”, Paris calls for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace — “certainly not for capitulation of the victim”. “There will be no peace and security if aggressors are rewarded and the law of the jungle wins,” he stressed. Similarly, the representative of the United Kingdom stressed that the terms of peace must send the message that aggression does not pay.
No peace will be sustainable without Ukraine’s consent, she said, voicing regret that her delegation’s proposals making these points clear were not taken on board. “There is nobody who wants peace more than Ukrainians and Europeans,” stressed Slovenia’s representative. However, he observed: “A person convinced against their will is against you still — there will be peace, but it will be just and it needs to last. ” Building on that, Denmark’s representative stressed that peace must be on the right terms, voicing regret that today’s resolution falls far short of that vision. “We need to reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she stated.
For his part, the representative of the Republic of Korea — noting that Moscow’s war of aggression has “tragically claimed countless innocent lives” — expressed hope that today’s adoption will provide an opportunity “for all relevant parties to accelerate efforts to achieve just and sustainable peace”. And while Guyana’s representative said that the text is an important step towards a peaceful end to the war, she said that there would have been added value in affirming support for the UN Charter – particularly States’ obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Panama’s representative also voiced support for the resolution, as it is not objectionable due to its simplistic content.
33 However, “its silence speaks more eloquently than its words”, he observed, adding that his country understands the aftermath of violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity. “And for our own historic reasons, we have always rejected the aggression of one State against another,” he said. Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation welcomed changes in the United States’ position on the Ukrainian conflict. “It is clear that the militarizing Europe today is the only player internationally which wants the war to continue,” he stated. And while today’s text 33 With 10 Votes in Favour, 5 Abstentions, Security Council Adopts Resolution 2774 (2025) Mourning Loss of Life, as Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Enters Fourth Year, available at: https://press. un. org/ (last visited on March 29, 2025).
is not ideal, it is a first attempt to have a constructive and future-oriented product by the Council. The key outline of a restored European and international security “can already be seen in the American text and this gives us a certain optimism”, he stated. At the outset of the meeting, the representative of France proposed that today’s vote be postponed, expressing concern that the text was introduced “without real negotiations among Council members”. While the representative of the United Kingdom expressed strong support for that proposal, the representative of the United States opposed it. Ultimately, that proposal was rejected for failing to obtain enough votes. 34 5.
0 Analysis of the Role of The United Nations Security Council in Russia – Ukraine War As New Delhi argued that multilateralism requires reform of antiquated systems, India has questioned why the UN Security Council has been rendered "completely ineffective" in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, which has raged unchecked for two years. Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, brought up the issue during a plenary session of the UN General Assembly on February 24, 2022, which commemorated two years after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. "As the conflict has continued for two years unabated, we, the comity of UN Member States, must pause and ask ourselves two pressing questions," Kamboj told the UN General Assembly meeting on the Ukraine conflict. "Are we anywhere near a possible, acceptable solution?
And if not, why is it that the UN system, particularly its principal organ, the United Nations Security Council, is mandated to primarily maintain international peace and security? Why is it rendered completely ineffective in the resolution of the ongoing conflict," Kamboj questioned. 35 On April 5, 2022, a visibly distraught Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the members of the U. N. Security Council for their failure to take action against suspected Russian atrocities in Ukraine: “Are you ready to close the U. N.? Do you think that the time of International Law is gone? ” At the close of the 1920s, an international agreement known as the Kellogg Briand Act made war illegal. That didn't work out so well. However, by attempting to outlaw the unlawful use of force and threatening to employ military force if necessary, the U. N. Charter was a positive step.
The notion was that the five permanent members—at the time,
34 Ibid.
35 Why is UN Security Council rendered 'completely ineffective' in resolving Russia-Ukraine conflict, asks India, available at: https_economictimes.indiatimes.com (last visited on March 30, 2025).
China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who were all allies who fought Germany's Nazism in World War II, would have to agree in order for there to be an automatic response to aggression. Later, that meant that the U. N. would take action, including military, judicial, and economic measures, if the permanent members at least didn't protest. Five votes in favour were not required, but a veto was a result of not receiving any negative votes. There is no choice until the five agree, which is obviously not often because they all have friends and enemies. This was how it was intended to work. Therefore, one nation might use its veto power right now. Was it acknowledged at the time that the organisation might become disempowered by such a structure? But the absence of organisation posed a bigger risk.
Congress would not have agreed to the United States entering the United Nations without the veto, and it is obvious that Josef Stalin of the Soviet Union would not have agreed either. The assumption was that these allies got along throughout World War II and would continue to do so, but that workable proposition clearly fell through. But there seems to be another reason that whenever a major power is involved in conflict the Security Council is seen reluctant to take the action against such power as it might consider it the beginning of World War III. It undoubtedly indicates that the UN is severely constrained in its efforts to promote global peace and security. Unfortunately, this beast only functions when member states want it to, and it doesn't function when they don't. When governments follow through on their decisions and agree, it works. 36 However, this is not always the case.
Other U. N. agencies continue to assist Ukraine despite the dismal Security Council's helpless actions. The U. N. High Commissioner on Refugees is working to help four and a half million Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, UNICEF is working tirelessly to advance girls' education in Afghanistan while also battling to aid children in Ukraine and refugee children abroad. Serving in other humanitarian catastrophes, defending human rights, and attempting to raise awareness of the dire state of the human environment and climate change comprise most of the United Nations' work on most days of the week. 37 6. 0 Conclusion As far as the working of the Security Council is concerned though it has been performing its 36 UN Security Council is powerless to help Ukraine – but it’s working as designed to prevent World War III, available at: https_theconversation. com (last visited on March 31,2025).
37 UN Security Council is powerless to help Ukraine – but it’s working as designed to prevent World War III, available at: https_theconversation. com (last visited on March 31,2025).
task of maintaining international peace and security right from the time of its formation but the major problem that have been witnessed various times right from the past and also in the current Russia Ukraine war is that whenever the major powers of the world have same path to travel, the council seems effective in performing its functions. But, when the interest of any of the powerful nation is involved which is going against any of the provisions mentioned in the United Nations charter against which action is expected from the Security Council, in such situations the council seems to become helpless paralyzed institution. But yes, the fact cannot be denied that the United Nations is an organization that has been formed by the association of member States. There is no supreme body that will supersede the interests of the Nations especially the powerful Nations.
There is no denying of the fact that countries participate at the international level to fulfil their interests. There should not be any expectation of charity regarding maintaining international peace even when the interest of the Nation is not being fulfilled. Therefore, in the conclusion of the study the author would like to add that in order to maintain international peace and security all the nations of the world especially the powerful countries need to act in a mature manner which means they should have the strength to support the truth and should also have the strength to except their mistakes rather than just playing the blame games in order to achieve there international self-interest oriented goals.