Ukraine's envoy urges UN to ban Russian troops from peacekeeping missions

Melnyk criticized statements made by Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya regarding the UN Secretary-General's report on sexual violence in armed conflicts.

The Ukrainian diplomat emphasized that the Russian government continues to deny the findings of independent international bodies, despite documented evidence of sexual crimes attributed to the Russian military.

Melnyk noted that for the third consecutive year, the Russian army has been featured in the UN Secretary-General's report on child rights violations during armed conflicts and even were included in the list of parties involved in conflict-related sexual violence.

"Military forces that the Secretary-General has once again blacklisted for conflict-related sexual violence cannot and should not participate in any operations under the UN flag. Russian personnel must be banned from participating in UN peacekeeping and police missions," the Ukrainian envoy stated.

Melnyk believes that if Moscow continues to ignore the decisions of the General Assembly and the findings of UN bodies, its continued presence in the organization loses all meaning.

"Perhaps it is time to say goodbye and leave the UN," he added.

On May 29, it was reported that the UN had, for the first time, blacklisted Russian and Israeli military forces for sexual violence during armed conflicts. The report documented hundreds of confirmed cases of violence against prisoners of war and civilians related to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.

On May 21, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Andrii Melnyk urged the Security Council to develop a legal and political mechanism to strip Russia of its permanent member status due to its aggression against Ukraine and systematic crimes against civilians.