Russia accuses the United States of rendering the UN Security Council ineffective by vetoing resolutions calling for a Gaza ceasefire.
The Russian Foreign Ministry contends that the US’s use of its veto power prevents the UN Security Council from enforcing peace in the Middle East.
This statement follows the UN General Assembly’s adoption of two resolutions on the Gaza conflict, including a ceasefire resolution similar to one previously vetoed by the US in the Security Council. These General Assembly resolutions, unlike Security Council resolutions, are not legally binding.
One resolution passed on Wednesday demanded an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, along with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The second resolution expressed full support for UNRWA and condemned Israel’s decision to ban the agency’s operations in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Friday that the ceasefire resolution largely mirrored a draft previously vetoed by the US in the Security Council.
“The UN General Assembly, once again since the escalation of violence in the Arab-Israeli conflict, has adopted urgently needed resolutions,” the Ministry declared. The calls for a truce and humanitarian access are “moral imperatives given the current catastrophic situation,” it added.
“The UN Security Council, the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, remains paralyzed due to Washington’s veto (six times since the crisis began),” the Ministry’s website stated.
The US and Israel argue that an immediate ceasefire would benefit Hamas, accusing the group of obstructing negotiations. US envoy to the UN, Robert Wood, stated that a General Assembly vote supporting Hamas’s strategy would be “shameful and wrong.”
Israel has long accused UNRWA of secretly aiding Hamas and other militants, claiming to have presented substantial evidence to the UN of Hamas infiltration within UNRWA, yet no action was taken.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini characterized Israel’s actions as an “ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role in providing humanitarian assistance and services to Palestinian refugees.”
Local authorities report that nearly 45,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s operation in Gaza. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and allied groups launched a surprise attack on Israeli cities, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages, about 100 of whom are believed to remain in Gaza.