Apr 26, 2022 - World

UN adopts rule to scrutinize Russia's Security Council vetoes

Oriana González

Picture of a UN security council meeting — Members of the UN Security Council meet to discuss the war in Ukraine at the UN on April 19 in New York City. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The UN voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a rule that would automatically trigger a General Assembly meeting if any of the Security Council's five veto-wielding members use that power to block a resolution.

Driving the news: The measure is meant to put more scrutiny on Russia, which has a history of using its veto power to unilaterally stop Security Council resolutions. Russia earlier this year vetoed a measure aimed at stopping its invasion of Ukraine.

"We are particularly concerned by Russia’s shameful pattern of abusing its veto privilege over the past two decades," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the UN, in a statement when the resolution was introduced earlier this month.

How it works: Under resolution 76/262, if the U.S., U.K., France, China or Russia use their veto powers in the Security Council, a General Assembly meeting will take place in which all UN members will be able to speak on the veto.

The resolution was co-sponsored by 83 member states, including the U.S.

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UN adopts rule to scrutinize Russia's Security Council vetoes

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