The UN representation answers to the “Independent”
Question: “As Latvia’s representative at the UN, what are your opportunities to influence the agenda of this organization?” Namely, its attitude towards Russia’s bloody aggression in Ukraine. The UN is silent, the UN doesn’t care – that’s the impression.”
Katrīna Kaktiņa answered: “I will start by saying that the UN in Vienna has its own specifics – the UN Office in Vienna focuses on the topics of crime fighting, criminal law and drugs. (..) At the same time, other organizations of the UN system are located in Vienna, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
And the ways in which we can and do influence the agenda of these organizations, particularly with regard to Russia’s war against Ukraine, are multiple.
To be elected to the structures of these international organizations. Since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, this goal has another aspect – to isolate Russia and Belarus. And it has been successful not only for the countries supporting Ukraine in general, but also for Latvia.
For example, in March 2022 I applied to run against a Russian diplomat in the UN body with the abbreviation FINGOV. It is a relatively recent format led by five countries – one from each geographic region – that brings together the UN administration in Vienna and member states to provide advice and input on administrative, financial, human resources and other issues.
Since its establishment, the Eastern European group (which also includes Latvia) has been represented by a Russian diplomat. However, Latvia managed to gather the support of UN member states to elect me in 2022 (33 votes), while the Russian candidate lost in this battle (six votes). In the second round, which was to take place a month later, the Russian candidate withdrew. Russia has not tried to get back into this UN structure.
Similarly, a couple of weeks ago, when Latvia joined forces with Albania, it managed to isolate Belarus in the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is the second of the two largest UN bodies in Vienna. Belarus had already been a member of this body for five terms, but in these elections, which took place on April 9 at the UN in New York, with 45 votes for Albania, 42 votes for Latvia and 17 votes for Belarus, Latvia (and Albania) being elected succeeded in isolating Belarus.
In cases where Latvia is not a member state of a body and its opportunities to individually influence its agenda may be limited, it is done together with other like-minded countries that have been elected to these bodies. For example, by supporting draft resolutions or decisions directed by them. Regarding resolutions and decisions, a crucial element is the choice of tactics to ensure maximum support for resolutions that directly point to Russia as an aggressor, while ensuring that Russian-led resolutions lack sufficient support from other member states.
In any case, although, for example, the theme of the UN meetings in Vienna may be specific, Latvia in its national statements or joint EU statements always emphasizes how Russia’s war against Ukraine negatively affects every area of life in Ukraine. Many other countries do as well. If, for example, the two large bodies of the UN cover issues that are the competence of other line ministries, in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at every conference and Board meeting, Latvia (currently not a member of the Board, but has the right to speak) makes a speech, reminding of its firm position and support for Ukraine, condemning Russia and shedding light on what is happening.
It should also be noted that the IAEA is very active regarding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. An IAEA mission has been established – several experts of the organization are present at each Ukrainian nuclear power plant, who regularly provide information about what is happening there. The Director General of the IAEA regularly prepares reports on his own and expert observations, which are considered at Board meetings, as well as regular information is provided in the media.
(..) Another possibility to illuminate and inform others about the Russian war in Ukraine is the so-called side events. With this, we have been more active in another organization in Vienna – OSCE.
Latvia is also in the group of friends of Ukraine at the UN in Vienna, which meets when necessary to talk about exactly this issue – how best to support Ukraine directly at the UN in Vienna, to coordinate activities.
In general, although it may seem that the UN Office in Vienna as an organization or Secretariat is not so visible and heard in public regarding the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which is largely related to the aforementioned thematic specifics of the UN Office in Vienna, many member states, including Latvia keeps Ukraine and its interests high on the agenda, not allowing anyone to forget about it, reminding of what is happening at any of the thematic meetings. Latvia is certainly known and noticed with its strict stance. But we can achieve the desired results most effectively together with other countries, so regular cooperation plays a very important role in our work.
On the other hand, the IAEA is very vocal about the safety of nuclear power plants in Ukraine, this issue is on the regular agenda, special board meetings have also been convened specifically about nuclear safety in Ukraine, IAEA missions in Ukraine are supported and financed by many member states.”
Only “deep concern” and “strong condemnation”
There is no reason to doubt what Katrīna Kaktiņa wrote, which refers to the work of representation. However, the “head organization” itself – the UN – under the presidency of Antonio Guterres, is mostly characterized by “deep concern” and “strong condemnation”. Everything, of course, in words, not in deeds.
In March 2022, the UN prohibited its staff from calling Russia’s aggression against Ukraine a war or an invasion, despite the General Assembly’s vote, openly siding with the aggressor. UN officials were advised to use euphemisms – “conflict” or “military attack” – instead of calling the war a war that had already claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and forced two million people to flee. The employees of the UN Public Relations Department, as reported by the newspaper “The Irish Times”, were instructed not to call what is happening in Ukraine a war, as well as not to add the Ukrainian flag to their social media profiles.
In February of the following year, the UN General Assembly once again – with an overwhelming majority – condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The resolution demanded that Moscow immediately withdraw its troops from the neighboring country.
141 member states voted for the “legally non-binding” (!) document, seven voted against, and 32 countries abstained. Of course, Moscow sneezed at this “damning document”.
In January 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov took the UN podium, calling on the Ukrainians to surrender. Otherwise, he threatened to destroy anyone who would dare to resist Russian aggression. He was also cynical enough to add that after the goals of the “special operation” have been achieved, Ukrainians and Russians will live in peace and harmony “as brothers”.
In September of last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a meeting of the UN Security Council urged to take away Russia’s veto right in this council, explaining that the invasion of Ukraine is a criminal and unprovoked war by Russia to seize Ukraine’s territory and resources. “The veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has brought the UN to a dead end,” he reminded, “and it is impossible to stop the war, because the aggressor or those who justify the aggressor veto all efforts,” said the president, also reminding that the veto power belonged to the Soviet Union as one of the victors of World War II and that Russia actually obtained them through various behind-the-scenes manipulations.
Therefore, now it is “possible – unbelievable” that both Vassily Nebenzy, the permanent representative of Russia to the UN, and the foreign minister of the aggressor country are allowed to speak at the United Nations.
to Sergey Lavrov. Even more – not only to speak and spread outright lies, but also to impose a ban on various UN decisions. Guterres shakes hands with both representatives of the terrorist state, and no one has any right or desire to rebuke the UN Secretary General. It is not for nothing that the UN is often called the United Organization of the Incompetent, because it cannot do anything against the occupying country and its supporters.
Be the first to find out what interesting has happened in Latvia and the world by joining us on the Telegram or Whatsapp channel
