Russian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the July Council Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of exceptionalism and promoting a “rules-based order” that threatens multilateralism and international law.
Washington “demands unconditional obedience” from its allies, he said, “even at the expense of their national interests.”
“Govern America is the essence of the infamous rules-based order, which poses a direct threat to multilateralism and international law,” he asserted.
‘Deliberate’ violations of the Charter
In response, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized Russia’s “hypocrisy” in calling a meeting on multilateral cooperation while “willfully and flagrantly violating the Constitution.” UN CharterThe country’s core principles are territorial integrity, respect for human rights and international cooperation.
She condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, “a war that has weaponized food,” increasing hunger not only among Ukrainians but also among millions of people worldwide, and “caused Moscow to embark on nuclear defection and violate international sanctions obligations.”
Barbara Woodward, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, reminded Council members that they have a responsibility to honour their own commitments by implementing and complying with the resolutions adopted.
“It is therefore vital that the Russian government stops importing weapons from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in violation of UN standards. Security Council resolutions and ceases its attempts to disrupt UN efforts in Africa, including through targeted actions by Russian allies against MINUSCA (the UN mission in the Central African Republic),” she said.
Power is not good
Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she reiterated the UK’s position that it will not accept a world “where might is right and powerful countries can intimidate and invade other countries with impunity”.
Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong recalled the establishment of the United Nations after World War II and the principles of peaceful coexistence advocated by his country’s leaders at the time.
Stir up confrontation
He deplored the idea of a “rules-based international order” promoted by some countries, arguing that it aims to create a parallel system outside international law, seeking “legitimacy for double standards and exceptions”.
He called on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to stop being a “troublemaker” and expressed concern about the bloc’s attempts to expand, spread false narratives and “foment confrontations between camps”.
