Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Andrii Melnyk has called for finding a mechanism to strip russia of its permanent membership of the Security Council due to its aggression against Ukraine and the systematic nature of violence against the civilian population.
He made this statement during the open debate of the UN Security Council on May 19, Ukrinform reports.
Melnyk stressed that the russian aggression against Ukraine “is characterized by the brutality and systematic nature of the violence committed against the civilian population.” And, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, from January to April 2026, the number of civilian casualties increased by 21% compared to the same period last year and by 93% compared to 2024.
“The first four months of this year have become the deadliest period for the Ukrainian civilian population ever,” the diplomat said, adding that the russian federation has intensified missile and drone terror, as it is no longer able to achieve success on the battlefield.
He drew attention to the systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in winter, the tactic of double strikes “only to kill medical personnel and rescue workers,” and deliberate drone strikes on civilians on the streets, as well as ambulances and humanitarian transport.
Melnyk also pointed to the “catastrophically intolerable situation” created by russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, citing arbitrary detentions, torture and enforced disappearances. In addition, more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced by russia, and most are being subjected to “indoctrination, militarization and attempts to erase their Ukrainian identity.”
The Permanent Representative expressed the hope that russia will be included in the next annual report of the UN Secretary-General as a party that systematically engages in conflict-related sexual violence.
“All legal obligations to protect civilians will ultimately remain empty words if acts of aggression and related war crimes are not punished,” Melnyk stressed.
He called on the members of the Security Council and all UN member states to “confront this grotesque reality” and find a way to deprive russia of its permanent membership in the Security Council.
As a reminder, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on May 19 due to the escalation of attacks by the aggressor state of russia on Ukraine following Melnyk’s letter to the UN Security Council President regarding the intensification of russian attacks in recent weeks on the civilian population and critical infrastructure of Ukraine.
© 2026 Ukrainian News Agency
If only ….
According to The Charter of the United Nations, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are the United States, China, France, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. I don’t see Russia mentioned.
Maybe it’s time that another former member of the USSR take a turn as a member.
Might I humbly suggest Ukraine?
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the broader international community recognize the Russian Federation as the legal and political successor state to the USSR. [1]
This transition was established through the following framework:
The Alma-Ata Protocol: In December 1991, 11 of the former Soviet republics signed this agreement, declaring that the USSR had ceased to exist and supporting Russia’s takeover of the Soviet Union’s UN seat.
The Yeltsin Letter: On December 24, 1991, Russian President Boris Yeltsin sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General stating that Russia would continue the USSR’s membership and inherit all its rights, responsibilities, and obligations under the UN Charter.
UN Acceptance: The UN accepted this letter without objection. As a result, Russia automatically assumed the Soviet Union’s permanent seat and veto power on the Security Council. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The original UN Charter United Nations Charter still lists the “Union of Soviet Socialist Republics” (USSR) as a permanent member. However, Russia directly occupies that seat today as the recognized successor state. [1, 2]
Yes, I know all that.
“Russian President Boris Yeltsin sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General stating that Russia would continue the USSR’s membership”
Maybe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could send a letter pointing out that the UN was set up following the defeat of the Nazis, and since ruSSia is now acting like the Nazis, it would be appropriate for Ukraine to assume that role.
(This is all a bit tongue-in-cheek.)
Its quite the rig when the P5 on the Security Council have to even approve amending the UN charter.
I’m afraid it appears the only chance would be
Article 27 Paragraph 3:
“a permanent member, must abstain from voting if they are a “party to a dispute” being addressed under Chapter VI.”
Chapter VI:
“rule only applies to resolutions concerning the “Pacific Settlement of Disputes” (Chapter VI). It does not apply to resolutions operating under Chapter VII, which deals with explicit threats to peace, breaches of peace, or acts of aggression.”
Perhaps they could amend the charter to include chapter 6 with 7 without needing Security Council approval? Its rigged.
That is never going to happen. The UN is a useless, corrupt, broken entity that must be disbanded.