Russia lays out requirements for next UN chief, demands end to Western 'monopoly' on secretariat posts

2026-02-26 - 12:42

Russia articulated its criteria for the next United Nations secretary-general Thursday, as Antonio Guterres' term approaches its December 31 expiration. Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations, stated in a Tass interview that the new UN chief must strictly adhere to the UN Charter and act in full compliance with its principles "without exception," while refraining from eroding the organization's intergovernmental character. Western 'Monopoly' on UN Posts Logvinov emphasized the urgent need to correct what he described as the "monopolization" of UN Secretariat leadership positions by Western nationals. "Most leadership positions are filled by representatives of the Western minority or officials with dual Western citizenship. The current situation requires urgent correction," he said, arguing that staff selection should follow Article 101 of the UN Charter requiring "the widest possible geographical basis." The demand reflects longstanding Russian complaints about Western dominance of the UN bureaucracy. Ukraine Crisis as Litmus Test Russia will attach "particular importance" to candidates' positions on the Ukrainian crisis, Logvinov stated. "We expect the future head of the UN Secretariat to duly take into account our concerns, primarily the understanding that eliminating the root causes of the current situation is the key to a long-term peaceful settlement." He criticized Guterres for neglecting Article 100 of the UN Charter requiring impartiality, particularly regarding Ukraine. "If there is little hope for the 'correction' of the current UN secretary-general, then with his potential successor, the Russian side will, of course, work closely and preventively on this issue," Logvinov concluded.