New York / Geneva In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, Chancellor Olaf Scholz committed himself to the United Nations Charter and condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine as “blatant imperialism”. “There is no justification for Russia’s war of conquest against Ukraine,” he said, and called for those responsible to be punished: “We must look and act when Russia commits war crimes in Mariupol, Bucha or Irpin.” We will hold the murderers accountable.”
It was the first speech by a German head of government at the General Assembly since Angela Merkel’s speech in 2007. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock represented Germany at the extraordinary General Assembly after the attack on Ukraine. She also traveled to New York on Tuesday to take part in the 77th General Assembly, which is overshadowed by the Ukraine war.
Self-determination and political independence do not count for Vladimir Putin, Scholz emphasized in his speech. “There’s only one word for it: It’s pure imperialism,” he told the assembled heads of state and government from all over the world.
The return of imperialism is not only a disaster for Europe. “It is also a disaster for our global peace order, which is the antithesis of imperialism and neo-colonialism.”
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That is why it was so important that 141 countries condemned the Russian war of conquest in the same room in the spring. “Putin will only give up his war and his imperial ambitions if he realizes that he cannot win this war,” said Scholz.
>> Read here: Why Russia can’t stop Ukraine’s advance right now
Even before the speech, Scholz had attacked Russia and declared the votes planned by separatists in three Ukrainian regions on accession to Russia to be contrary to international law. It is very clear that “we do not accept any Russian dictated peace – and no sham referendums either,” said Scholz. “It’s all just an attempt at imperialist aggression that’s supposed to be embellished.”
Scholz: A Russian “dictated peace” is unacceptable
The Moscow-recognized “People’s Republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and the Kherson region in the south had previously announced that they would hold “referendums” on joining the Russian Federation. Voting is scheduled between September 23rd and 27th. In a similar way, Russia prepared the annexation of the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
Ukraine must be able to repel Russia’s attack. “We are supporting Ukraine with all our might: financially, economically, humanitarianly and also with weapons.” Shortly before the chancellor left for New York, the federal government had promised further weapons from Bundeswehr stocks, including four heavy artillery pieces of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 type.
When 141 of 193 UN member states condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in March, it was considered a diplomatic success. The world’s two most populous countries – China and India – abstained but did not vote against.
In order to convince smaller and poorer countries to condemn Russia as well, Western states promised them in the spring that they would also address their concerns more in the future. “We hear you,” said Baerbock in March.
This is one of the reasons why several group meetings are planned for this week, which will deal with topics such as food security, the consequences of climate change and the role of African countries and island states.
>> Track the current developments in Ukraine in our news blog
Although Scholz acknowledged the UN Charter and its values, he also called for a reform of the institution. The rules too often reflected “the world of 30, 50 or 70 years ago” rather than today’s reality. He renewed Germany’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Germany is ready to assume greater responsibility – initially as one of the ten rotating members in 2027 and 2028, but also as a permanent member in the future. “I ask you to support our candidacy – the candidacy of a country that respects the principles of the United Nations, that offers and seeks cooperation.”
The Security Council is the most important body of the United Nations and is actually responsible for conflict resolution and peacekeeping. But due to the right of veto, the members often block each other on important issues. Because of such a blockade on the Ukraine war, the Extraordinary General Assembly was convened in March.
Constant blockade by vetoes
The Security Council includes 15 of the 193 UN member states. With the USA, China, Russia, Great Britain and France, five nuclear powers are constantly present. Some of the other 188 member states rotate the other 10 seats every two years. Germany applies for it every eight years.
A fundamental reform of the Security Council has been discussed for decades without any progress being made. This also applies to Germany’s application: Germany enjoys a good reputation with most UN member states as a solvent mediator who also takes into account the interests of small and weak states.
Accompanied by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit (right) and bodyguards, Olaf Scholz walks through the streets of Manhattan.
(Photo: dpa)
However, diplomats see little chance of restructuring the Security Council with the aim of admitting new permanent members like Germany. “All big ideas for reforming the Council will come to nothing,” stresses a negotiator who wishes to remain anonymous.
He could not imagine a formula for a reform of the council that all current five permanent members could agree to. In fact, each of the five veto powers, the US, Russia, China, France and Great Britain, can prevent a reorganization of the Security Council.
Germany has openly claimed a permanent seat on the Security Council since the 2000s. The Federal Republic wants to achieve this goal together with Brazil, India and Japan (G4). In addition to the G4, Africa should also have a permanent seat on the Council, according to the Foreign Office in Berlin. However, all diplomatic attempts have so far ended unsuccessfully.
In addition to the Ukraine war, Scholz also addressed climate change and human rights in his speech, making specific demands on China. He called on Beijing to implement the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Office on the situation of the Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang. “That would be a sign of sovereignty and strength. And a guarantee of change for the better,” he said.
More: Powerlessness in the control center – How much sense does a World Security Council still have?