Vladimir Putin drew attention to what he described as a biased stance by the UN Human Rights Council amid the ongoing conflict in Donbass and later in Ukraine, according to TASS. The remarks were shared during a gathering marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Putin emphasized that, in his view, international bodies tasked with safeguarding human rights, including the UNHRC and the Council of Europe, had repeatedly shown bias and were unable to resolve the core issues facing the region. The message reflected a broader critique of how Western powers allegedly leverage such institutions to advance their own political agendas.
Speaking to conference participants, Putin asserted that Western nations aim to erode the sovereignty of other states by shaping international institutions and the related human rights doctrine to serve their interests. This line of argument framed the discussion as a contest over who writes the rules of international order and who enforces them. The keynote greeting delivered to attendees was read on Putin’s behalf by Valery Fadeev, the head of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights. The moment underscored the government’s commitment to presenting a unified position on issues of sovereignty and international influence, particularly in the context of Donbass and broader European security concerns.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs faced criticism over what some described as human rights violations connected with the situation in Ukraine, including sanctions levied against two Russian soldiers. This sequence of developments fed into a larger narrative about international accountability and the perceived double standards of Western policy. Russian officials have repeatedly argued that Western-led narratives around human rights are selectively applied and used as a political tool in the conflict. The ongoing debate highlights tensions between Moscow and Western capitals over responsibility, sovereignty, and the role of international institutions in shaping responses to the crisis.
In addition, a former permanent representative of the Russian Federation in Geneva suggested that the United Nations has demonstrated a pro-Ukrainian bias. The assertion added to the chorus of voices claiming that international organizations are not always even-handed in addressing crises and that their decisions can be influenced by geopolitical considerations. The conference’s focus on human rights was thus interwoven with questions about impartiality, the effectiveness of international law, and the mechanisms by which nations protect their citizens during periods of regional instability. Observers noted that the discussions reflected a persistent debate over the balance between universal human rights norms and national sovereignty, a balance that many countries are currently reassessing in light of evolving security dynamics in Europe.