Russia accuses outgoing UN chief of double standards over Ukraine

17:33

By: Azzat Manal

Russia accuses outgoing UN chief of double standards over Ukraine

Russia has accused United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of failing to maintain neutrality during the Ukraine conflict, arguing that his handling of the war will be remembered for what Moscow describes as a pattern of double standards.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said Guterres’ approach to the conflict had undermined the principle of impartiality expected from the United Nations’ top administrative official. She particularly criticized his position on the events in Bucha, near Kyiv, which Moscow continues to describe as a provocation and rejects allegations of Russian responsibility for the reported killings.

Zakharova accused the UN chief of becoming involved in what she characterized as an anti-Russian campaign based on unfounded allegations. Her remarks reflect Moscow’s longstanding criticism of Western governments and international institutions over their response to the war in Ukraine.

The Bucha killings became one of the most widely reported episodes of the conflict after Russian forces withdrew from the town in early April 2022. Ukrainian authorities and international observers reported evidence of civilian deaths, while Russia has repeatedly denied responsibility and questioned the circumstances surrounding the reports.

The dispute over Bucha has remained part of the broader information and diplomatic battle surrounding the war, with Russia and Ukraine presenting sharply different accounts of events.

Guterres, who has served as UN secretary-general since 2017 and began his second five-year term in 2022, has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and a diplomatic settlement. His mandate is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, bringing his tenure at the United Nations to an end after nearly a decade.

Zakharova’s latest comments come as the UN continues to face pressure over its role in the Ukraine conflict and wider international disputes. Moscow has frequently argued that the organization should avoid taking positions that could be interpreted as favoring one side, while Ukraine and its Western allies have called for stronger international pressure on Russia.

The debate over Guterres’ legacy is therefore likely to remain closely tied to the UN’s broader efforts to address the Ukraine war, maintain diplomatic channels and uphold its principles amid increasingly polarized international relations.