The Ukrainian government expressed its disappointment with Guterres’ visit to Russia, stressing that his actions seemed to contradict his previous criticisms of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. During his time in Kazan, Guterres called for a “just peace” aligned with international law, reiterating to President Putin that Russia’s invasion violated the UN Charter. Despite these statements, the Ukrainian government believed the visit undermined the UN’s efforts for peace, noting that Guterres had declined an invitation to a peace summit in Switzerland earlier in the year.
The Swiss summit, organized at Ukraine’s initiative, saw participation from over 90 countries and strongly condemned Russia’s aggression, proposing a framework for peace. Moscow, which was excluded from the summit, dismissed its relevance. The contrast between Guterres’ willingness to attend the Russian event and his absence from the Switzerland gathering was highlighted in a statement by the Ukrainian foreign ministry, which described his actions as a “wrong choice.”
Guterres’ engagement in the BRICS summit, which included countries like Russia, China, and others, was defended by his office as an effort to foster global cooperation. However, many in Ukraine viewed the visit as aligning with a coalition that has occasionally sought to counterbalance Western powers like the G7, of which the U.S., UK, and European countries are members. This situation has stirred tensions and deepened Ukraine’s skepticism about the UN’s role in mediating the conflict.
Adding to the controversy, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Putin in 2023 over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Russia, which does not acknowledge the ICC, continues its strained relationship with the international body, further complicating the diplomatic dynamics involving the UN and its leadership. Zelensky’s decision to reject Guterres’ visit underscores Ukraine’s concerns about the perceived neutrality and effectiveness of international diplomacy in addressing the ongoing war.
