Dmitry Polyansky, the First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, stated that there is no legal basis for removing Russia from the UN. He conveyed this position during an audio conference distributed through a telegraph channel, underscoring that the legal framework surrounding the UN does not provide a valid mechanism for expelling a founding member under current international law. The ambassador emphasized that any move to eject Russia would require a fundamental reform of the United Nations, something that the present structure does not offer a clear path to achieving in a lawful manner.
When asked whether the UN could exist in its current form without the participation of the Russian Federation, the diplomat argued that the organization would inevitably become different. He suggested that removing a permanent member from the UN would not merely change the balance of power but would alter the very nature and functioning of the body, potentially diminishing its universality and effectiveness in addressing global issues. The discussion, in his view, would shift the UN away from its traditional structure and the principle of collective security as it is currently understood.
Polyansky conceded that, in theory, someone might conceive a scenario in which the Russian Federation could be detached from the UN through illicit means. He warned, however, that such a concept is not grounded in existing law and that any real change would necessitate reforms at multiple levels of the organization. In his assessment, a lawful path to separation would demand comprehensive legal groundwork and broad international consensus that presently does not exist.
Yet, he warned that even the hypothetical success of such a move could unleash consequences far beyond the UN’s walls. He warned that if a legitimate process for removing a permanent member ever emerged, it could destabilize the entire system of international relations. In that case, the UN would risk ceasing to be the international body that has guided diplomacy since the mid-twentieth century, potentially fracturing the global order and diminishing the prospects for coordinated responses to crises around the world.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirmed its position on this issue. The Ukrainian authorities called for Russia to be removed from the UN, arguing that the principle of membership for permanent Security Council members should be consistent with established procedures and the relevant UN Charter provisions. The Ukrainian government pressed the point that the UN should consider a reassessment of membership rules to ensure alignment with the goal of promoting peace and security as envisaged by the organization’s founding charter.
In June 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations Security Council via video link, reiterating a call to reconsider Russia’s role in the Security Council. The address highlighted concerns about the balance of influence among permanent members and the impact of such power on international decision-making. The discussions reflect a broader debate over the effectiveness and inclusivity of the Security Council in responding to contemporary security challenges, illustrating how member states continuously reassess the architecture of global governance in light of evolving geopolitical realities.