Russia's permanent seat on the Security Council grants Putin veto power over its actions
Several well-known Republicans are proposing a joint resolution calling on President Biden to pressure the United Nations to strip Russia of its permanent seat on the UN Security Council, giving Moscow veto power over Security Council resolutions.
After Russia vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a Republican effort led by Tennessee Senator Martha Blackburn and New York Congressman Claudia Taney.
The Russian government is actively killing innocent Ukrainian civilians, committing war crimes, and invading sovereign territories without reason. At the same time, Moscow is pushing for UN decisions through its role as a permanent member of the Security Council. Russia must be exiled from the international community, "Blackburn said in a statement.
Putin is attempting to rebuild the Soviet Union, and his ambassador should not be allowed to veto the United Nations' response to Russian aggression. The Russian Federation is a direct threat to global security and the sovereignty of our international partners
Tanni added, "Russia is setting a new dangerous precedent by abusing its role in the United Nations Security Council to protect itself from responsibility for its blatant, illegal, and unwarranted invasion of sovereign states. Given its procedural obstacles, this resolution is undoubtedly a daunting task. Facing challenges in the Security Council does not mean that Congress should back down
In addition to Tenney and Blackburn, the resolution was jointly initiated by Republican Senators Kevin Cramer from North Dakota, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst from Iowa, Rick Scott from Florida, and Cindy Hyde Smith from Mississippi.
After Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning its invasion of Ukraine and calling for its withdrawal, the composition of the United Nations Security Council came under international scrutiny.
The Soviet Union was included in the Charter as one of the permanent five members of the Security Council.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia held a seat in the Security Council - a move that was not challenged. The chairman of the council rotates once a month. Russia will be the president in February and will be replaced by the United Arab Emirates in March. The United States will preside over the council in May.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield seemed to deny the possibility of Russia being excluded from the Security Council when asked on Sunday.
Russia is a member of the Security Council. This is in the United Nations Charter, "she said on CNN. But we will hold Russia accountable for not respecting the United Nations Charter