Zelensky denied Guterres a visit to Ukraine because of his participation in the BRICS summit in Kazan– writes about this AFP.
before bowed to Putin ….
The actions of Antonio Guterres led to a scandalous reaction from two countries at once. Ukraine and Israel accused him of neglecting his duties as head of the UN and even of hypocrisy.
The situation with Ukraine
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed disappointment with Guterres as he attended the BRICS summit in Kazan. Zelensky perceived this as a choice in favor of dubious political positions rather than support for international principles. Against the backdrop of the war with Russia, this visit raises serious suspicions among Ukrainians.
“Some functionaries prefer temptations in Kazan rather than the principles of the UN Charter,” Zelensky said.
Israeli reaction
Israel also did not stand aside. The IDF and Shin Bet recently killed terrorist Mohammed Abu Atiwiyah, who was responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre. Israeli authorities found out that the terrorist was an employee of UNRWA (the UN agency in the Middle East), which raised many questions for Guterres and the entire UN. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Guterres of hypocrisy.
“Which employee exactly is he mourning? Guterres and UNRWA are complicit in war crimes,” writes Israel Katz.
Why Ukraine is Dissatisfied with the BRICS Summit
Reasons for Ukraine's refusal
Zelensky refused Guterres a visit to the territory of Ukraine, considering the Secretary General’s participation in the BRICS summit to be politically inappropriate. The summit was a particularly vexing moment for Ukraine, as Guterres had previously rejected Ukraine's invitation to the first Global Peace Summit. These actions, according to the Ukrainian authorities, undermine the neutrality of the UN head.
Guterres' position
The Secretary General maintains that attending the BRICS summit was standard practice, stressing that he is trying to maintain an impartial position.
Comparative Table: UN Actions on Ukraine and the Middle East
| Country | UN action | Country reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | Participation in the BRICS summit, refusal to visit | Zelensky sees hypocrisy, discontent |
| Israel | Expression of regret over the death of a terrorist | Criticism for mourning the country's enemy |
| Russia | Dialogue support | Caused controversy in the UN and countries |
In light of these events, many are asking: “What goals does the UN really pursue?”
