UN Secretary-General Warns “Our World is Becoming Unhinged”

Yesterday, the United Nations Secretary General reaffirmed how the Russian invasion of Ukraine stands in violation of the UN Charter and international law, while their campaign has “unleashed a nexus of horror”. In an emotive address to the United Nations General Assembly, António Guterres also expressed concern that “our world is becoming unhinged” as he asserted how nuclear threats and ignoring global treaties and conventions was putting the world and its people at greater risk. Highlighting the protracted conflict in Ukraine, Guterres continued by stating that the breakdown in diplomacy and heightened geopolitical tensions was bringing the international community closer to a “Great Fracture” in financial, economic and trade relations.

On 12 October 2022, the UN overwhelmingly passed Resolution ES-11/1 which demanded Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. While this vote saw 143 support the motion, and just five states (namely, Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea, Russia, Syria) oppose it, a considerable 35 states abstained. Most notable amongst the abstentions was China and India whose wider geopolitical considerations mean that they are keen to avoid confrontation with Russia. Both Beijing and New Delhi respectively support important trading relationships with Moscow, lot least in relation to oil, gas, foodstuffs, military equipment and finance. Moreover, given that China and Russia each look to counterbalance US hegemony, the two often see their geopolitical interests as mutually inclusive.

Notwithstanding the CCP’s desire to maintain a cordial relationship with Moscow, their position over the conflict in Ukraine is also contingent on their individual interests within Ukraine itself. Chiefly, Ukraine is an important destination on China’s belt and road initiative, with the flow of goods transiting from Asia through Ukraine and onto Russia and Europe. Many Chinese firms also rely on imports of soft and hard commodities from Ukraine, particularly wheat and iron ore. As such, China has progressively appeared to push for a peaceful resolution to be found, though has stopped short of indicting Russia.

The self-interested nature of UN member states means that the organisation’s ability to deliver a peaceful resolution is Ukraine ultimately remains subject to wider geopolitical complexities. While Biden made it clear that states should not allow Russia to “brutalize” Ukraine without the fear of consequence, the current state of affairs seems to suggest that diplomatic progress will be slow.