United Nations, The Europe Today: Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya has said that the UN Security Council meetings regularly requested by Ukraine and Western countries do nothing to bring a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis any closer.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine convened at the request of Western countries, Nebenzya questioned the purpose of the frequent sessions and the intentions behind them.
“We have no idea what the Ukrainian side wants when it requests these meetings which have become sickeningly common, even with this regime’s sponsors. They certainly do not bring us any closer to the Ukrainian crisis resolution,” he said.
Nebenzya Questions Purpose of Repeated Sessions
The Russian envoy’s remarks reflect Moscow’s long-standing criticism of the Security Council sessions on Ukraine called by Kyiv and its Western partners. Russia has repeatedly argued that such meetings serve as platforms for political messaging rather than as genuine efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict.
By describing the meetings as having become “sickeningly common,” Nebenzya signalled Moscow’s growing frustration with what it views as a recurring diplomatic exercise that produces no practical results on the ground.
He also referred to Western countries as the “sponsors” of the Ukrainian government, a characterisation Russian officials frequently use to describe the political, financial and military support extended to Kyiv by the United States and European states.
Divided Security Council
The Security Council has remained deeply divided over the war in Ukraine since its escalation. As a permanent member holding veto power, Russia has been able to block resolutions it considers unfavourable, while Western members continue to use the Council as a forum to highlight the humanitarian, security and legal dimensions of the conflict.
Western countries and Ukraine maintain that regular Council meetings are necessary to keep international attention on the war, to raise concerns about attacks affecting civilians and critical infrastructure, and to press for accountability. Moscow, in turn, has called its own sessions on issues such as Western arms supplies to Ukraine.
Diplomatic Deadlock Persists
Nebenzya’s comments underline the continuing diplomatic deadlock at the United Nations, where the 15-member body charged with maintaining international peace and security has so far been unable to agree on a common approach to ending the conflict.
Observers note that, despite the frequency of the meetings, the positions of the key parties remain far apart, with each side blaming the other for the absence of meaningful progress towards peace. Nebenzya’s latest remarks suggest that Moscow sees little value in the current format of Security Council engagement on Ukraine, raising further questions about the role the United Nations can play in any future settlement of the crisis.
