Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Kremlin says UN Security Council should add new permanent members, keep veto power that Erdogan urged scrapping


By ReutersSeptember 22, 20266:38 AM EDT


The United Nations emblem can be seen at the entrance to the general assembly hall as the United Nations prepares for world leaders to convene for the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, US, September 21, 2026. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado 


MOSCOW, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Russia believes the UN Security Council should expand its number ​of permanent members beyond the ‌current five, and that the existing veto system should remain, the Kremlin said ​on Tuesday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ​was responding to a question ⁠from reporters about Turkish President Tayyip ​Erdogan's call to abolish both ​permanent membership and the veto.

Erdogan has long criticised the council, saying its veto-carrying permanent ​members - Britain, China, France, Russia ​and the US - are not reflective of the ‌international ⁠community and are unable to take swift decisions.

Peskov said Russia wanted the council to be reformed, and the permanent ​membership ​expanded.
"At the ⁠same time, we believe that the institution of ​permanent members of the Security ​Council, ⁠as well as the right of veto, are very important elements of ⁠the ​entire structure of ​the United Nations," he said.


Reporting by Dmitry Antonov Writing ​by Alessandra Prentice Editing by Mark Trevelyan



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