UN Chief's Controversial Meeting with Putin Sparks Outrage Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
On October 24, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, reiterating that Russia's invasion of Ukraine constitutes a violation of the UN Charter and international law. This marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since April 2022, with the backdrop of ongoing indiscriminate attacks by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
In a statement released following their meeting, Guterres emphasized the necessity of achieving a just peace in Ukraine that aligns with international laws and the resolutions set forth by the UN General Assembly. Addressing the summit delegates before meeting Putin, he declared, "We need peace in Ukraine. A just peace in line with the UN Charter, international law, and UN General Assembly resolution."
Despite his call for peace, Guterres' presence at the summit drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials, particularly after he declined an invitation to a Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, exchanging it for the meeting with Putin instead. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry officials expressed their dismay on October 22, stating that his choice to engage with the Russian leaders was detrimental to the UN's credibility in promoting peace. The statement read, "This is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the UN's reputation."
Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya also voiced her disdain regarding Guterres' handshake with Putin. Navalnaya, who has lost her husband, the outspoken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, in a Russian prison, referred to the Kremlin leader as a murderer. She shared her sentiment on social media, stating, "It was the third year of the war, and the UN Secretary-General was shaking hands with a murderer."
The three-day gathering in Kazan included representatives from other BRICS nations—Brazil, India, China, and South Africa—as well as leaders and representatives from 36 additional countries, including Iran and Turkey. The summit was portrayed by Russia as a significant indication of ongoing support from major developing nations amid severe Western sanctions and efforts to isolate Moscow, resulting from its controversial actions in Ukraine.
With the war now in its third year, the meeting between Guterres and Putin raises questions about the effectiveness and neutrality of the UN in resolving the conflict. The reactions from Ukraine and opposition figures underscore a growing sentiment that the UN's actions and choices reflect the complexities and challenges of diplomacy in a world divided by conflict.
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