Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, will later today chair a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on what is termed Effective multilateralism through the defence of the principles of the UN Charter.
This marks a signature event under Moscow’s Presidency during the month of April.
A concept note for the meeting argues that a far-reaching systematic transformation is underway with the natural and rapid decline of the unipolar world and the emergence of a new multipolar system.
The meeting is likely to descend into irony, specifically recriminations about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Many countries in the council are likely to question Russia’s rationale for convening the open debate in defence of the UN Charter, despite violating the sovereignty of a fellow member state.
Western nations are likely to argue that the meeting was intended to divert attention from Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine despite the clarity of the Charter which says that all member states “shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means”.
Lavrov is expected to also meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the extension of the Grain deal, just weeks before the pact is set to again expire unless Russian export demands are met.
