Europe

Guterres’s bow to Putin when the Criminal Court calls for his arrest marks the UN’s “lowest point”

Ukraine faces third winter of war with its power plants decimated and fear of a nuclear front

In mid-June, Switzerland hosted the first summit for peace in Ukraine with the attendance of almost a hundred countries and a clear purpose: to create the conditions for a just end to the war, one respectful of the sovereignty of the attacked nation and the borders prior to the invasion. European, Asian, Arab, American and African leaders responded to the call, and none bowed their heads when the Kremlin pressed to dissuade them, unlike the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Portuguese. Antonio Guterreswho preferred to turn his back on the president Volodymyr Zelensky without offering explanations for his absence.

Yesterday, however, Guterres participated in the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, with Vladimir Putin as host and with current guests, such as the Venezuelan Nicolas Maduroand left one of the most compromising scenes of his mandate.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, before the family photograph, after a meeting with the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko which began with a hug, he bowed to greet the Russian autocrat, wanted by the International Criminal Court to try him for war crimes committed in Ukraine, in what German analyst Ulrich Speck defines as “the lowest point in history.” of the organization, as a bow that “grants legitimacy to the Russian decision to challenge the European peace order.”

In Ukraine, assistance alone already caused the effect of betrayals. “It is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace,” his Foreign Ministry issued in a statement. “It only damages the reputation of the UN.”

One of the spokespersons of the United Nations, Farhan Haqdefended Guterres’ decision. The BRICS represent “almost half of humanity,” he said, and the Russian summit is “of great importance” for the organization’s work “with the member countries,” originally five — Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa—and currently nine, with the Islamic Republic of Iran as the latest addition. But, for Nicolás de Pedro, geopolitical analyst and columnist for this newspaper, Guterres’ presence is based on “a serious mistake.”

“It is very likely that you believe that, since Russia is a member of the UN Security Council, it should try to retain its favor, but you are confused,” he explains, before listing the reasons. “You are confused because Russia is violating the United Nations Charter [su tratado fundacional]the basic principles of an institution created for peace, to avoid wars. He is confused because Russia is aiding and assisting a country sanctioned by the UN, such as North Korea. And he is also confused by his ignorance or inability to understand how the Kremlin works.”

Los rusos, explica este investigador, son más peligrosos cuando se les muestra la mejor cara. “Todo lo que perciben como debilidad”, resume, “les hace creer que prevalecerán, les refuerza”. De modo que, continúa, Guterres puede creer que su gentileza acerca una solución dialogada para Ucrania cuando, al contrario, la aleja.

Hay otra idea que acompaña a Alberto Priego, doctor en Relaciones Internacionales y colaborador habitual de este periódico, cuando observa la escena. La actuación del secretario general de la ONU no es nueva y responde, probablemente, a motivos ideológicos”, interpreta. “Guterres siempre ha sido reacio a dar la razón a Ucrania y cumplir con un principio de neutralidad. Ha sido más parcial de lo esperado con Rusia y este es sólo el último episodio que lo demuestra”.

De Pedro asume que el secretario general no está en una posición sencilla, que la Federación Rusa es, a fin de cuentas, uno de los cinco miembros permanentes del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU. Lo que le inquieta es que se muestre tan “solícito”, “no es entendible”. Tampoco es útil ante un jefe del Kremlin ajeno a las resoluciones de la ONU y entregado al derrocamiento del orden mundial basado en reglas, instaurado tras dos guerras mundiales y del que la ONU debería ser garante.

“Está premiando al agresor”, sostiene, “y ni siquiera queda claro para qué: no conseguirá nada”.

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