Only moments ago, a P5 unmoderated caucus took place during the United Nations Security Council. The United States began the meeting by attempting to establish itself as the leader of the discussion. The US began by briefly mentioning their fellow delegates back inside the committee room, brushing off their contributions in a mere phrase ‘we believe many delegates have expressed their ideas’ but “it's up to us now to agree on what to veto and what not to veto''. The US was quick to remind its fellow permanent members the United Kingdom, France, The People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation that they were the ones who held the power here.
Notably, only two countries were singled out as important players in getting a resolution passed, Gabon and Kenya. Both China and the US were vocal in making sure the permanent delegates focused on these countries and included them in their inner circle. Russia on the other hand was quick to point out that Kenya has been difficult to cooperate with and that they have been diplomatically attacking them.
For the first time, Russia showed serious signs of co-operation after previously only looking out for themselves. The Russian delegate made some well-founded claims against the other members, particularly the US, that had them ignoring their point completely and scrambling for some form of argument against them. Russia began by saying in order to build a resolution everyone must be willing to have both parties involved. The US sharply voiced that everyone agrees with this and they have shown this enough by asking both parties involved to come to the meeting. This was evidenced enough of their willingness. Not only did this miss the Russian delegate's point but, as they pointed out, “you are talking in two voices”. On the one hand, the other four permanent members are encouraging the voices of both parties but at the same time are criticising them. They continued, that the delegates are talking to each side separately and at the end of the day they need a parliament that shares power.
What Russia proposes will make history by inviting both parties at the same time to the committee. It is yet to be known if this will be possible or whether the Chairs of the committee will allow it. It is also left to be seen how the US and China encourage such a move or whether if this fails to happen they will take it as a chance to criticise Russia. How this plays out will be down to only a handful of countries, mainly the permanent 5 including Kenya and Gabon. For the other delegates, their opinions may have been noted but ultimately they have been drowned out by the big players.
- Yuri Nate, Economist UNSC Editor
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