Australia calls for depriving Russia of veto power

Australia has supported the demand of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strip the Russian Federation of its veto power in the UN Security Council. In addition, Australia calls for further reforms of the organization.

This was stated by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in her speech at the UN General Assembly, Bloomberg reports.

"We must demand more from the permanent members, including restrictions on the use of the veto. Russia is making a mockery of the UN every day as it continues its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine," she said.

Wong suggested that there should be more permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa, Latin America and Asia, including permanent seats for India and Japan. She said Australia is seeking a seat on the Security Council for 2029-2030.

Wong emphasized that tensions in the South China Sea and North Korea's continued development of nuclear weapons are among the issues that are causing the "most confrontational circumstances in decades" and require a greater commitment to conflict prevention.

"In short, military power is expanding, but measures to deter military conflict are not, and there are few concrete mechanisms to prevent it," she said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 24/09/2023