Russia Says New UN Chief Should End Western Influence Over Secretariat

Dragon Media Newsroom

Russia hopes the election of a new United Nations secretary-general will help end what it describes as Western “dictate” over the UN Secretariat, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official said on United Nations Day.

Kirill Logvinov, director of the ministry’s Department for International Organisations, said the UN faced a “profound systemic crisis.” In a statement posted on Telegram, he called for greater collegiality, full adherence to the UN Charter, stronger representation for the Global South and an end to what he called backroom deals.

Logvinov also accused the Secretariat of becoming increasingly politicised and bureaucratic, and of interfering in states’ internal affairs. He said these trends were undermining the organisation’s standing and effectiveness. These were Russia’s assessments of the UN’s current operations.

The term of Secretary-General António Guterres, who has led the organisation since 2017, ends on December 31, 2026. The Security Council will recommend a candidate for the post, and the General Assembly will hold the formal election.

Russia has said it is not backing a specific candidate. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov previously said Moscow considered professionalism and impartiality key qualifications for the next secretary-general.