Russian FM accuses UN chief of violating charter principles

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of failing to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, particularly the principle of impartiality outlined in Article 100.

Speaking to reporters, Lavrov said Moscow is seriously concerned by what it views as a deviation from the international body’s mandated neutrality, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Lavrov emphasised that the UN Charter requires the Secretariat, including its leadership, to act objectively and in the interests of all member states. However, he argued that recent actions by Guterres and the UN Secretariat demonstrate a "gross violation" of this principle.

The foreign minister also noted that when he questioned Guterres on whether certain declarations, specifically those supporting the right of peoples to self-determination, fall within the resolutions the Secretariat is obliged to implement, the UN chief did not provide a direct response.

Lavrov asserted that the UN leadership must strictly adhere to the Charter’s core principles, including neutrality and compliance with international law. Any deviation from these standards, he warned, undermines the organisation's credibility and poses risks to global stability.

By Sabina Mammadli