Kremlin: Russia Advocates for Security Council Reform, Increased Permanent Membership

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Kremlin on Tuesday announced that Russia desires a reform of the Security Council and an increase in the number of permanent members beyond the current five. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, made these remarks in response to a question regarding the position of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has called for the abolition of permanent membership and veto power within the Security Council.

Peskov stated that Moscow is in favor of Security Council reform and believes the number of permanent members of this body should be increased. However, he stressed that Russia considers permanent membership and veto power to be crucial elements of the United Nations’ structure. “We believe that the institution of permanent members of the Security Council, as well as the veto power, are very important elements of the entire structure of the United Nations,” Peskov said.

Erdoğan has repeatedly criticized the current structure of the Security Council in recent years, asserting that the five permanent members with veto power—the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—do not represent the entire international community and that the council is incapable of making swift decisions on global crises.