Promote Ukraine, a non-profit organisation, held a demonstration outside the UN/UNDP Office in Brussels on 1 April 2023 and called on the United Nations to terminate Russia’s presidency of the UN Security Council, which started on the same day, and to exclude the terrorist state from the UN altogether.

Marta Barandiy, Founder of Promote Ukraine

The demonstration is part of an international campaign and a petition signed by more than 331,604 people #UNrussiaUN.

According to Olena Kuzhym, organiser and volunteer, “Russia has a history of using its Presidency in the UNSC to spread disinformation and create divisions among member states. It exploits the inefficacy of the UN Security Council’s veto power to further its aggression while escaping accountability for its crimes. Russia’s designation as an aggressor state by the UN disqualifies it from presiding over any UN body, including the Security Council. The UN should enforce its charter and prevent Russia from assuming the Presidency of the Security Council.”

Additionally, Promote Ukraine NGO and its volunteers question the legitimacy of Russia’s membership in the UN, as it does not meet the basic criteria outlined in Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Charter, which states that membership in the UN is open to all peaceful states.

“Russia has undermined the credibility and effectiveness of the UN. There are serious concerns about the organisation’s ability to protect countries from aggression and ensure international peace and security. The United Nations is facing a critical juncture in its history. It is therefore imperative that the UN takes decisive action and bans Russia. The stakes are high, and the future of global cooperation and stability depends on the UN’s ability to act now.” – Liza Bezvershenko, volunteer and organiser.