As the Security Council begins another day of negotiations, Member States are still dealing with the implications of the Russian Federation’s double veto of a procedural matter relating to setting the agenda to the war in Ukraine. Representative Kent Dunn of the Russian Federation held a press conference to address the matter stating, “Russia made good on its ultimatum to filibuster the session if military aid to Ukraine was proposed.” In response to a question on if current humanitarian aid was sufficient, Representative Dunn further stated that, “some may deserve food, some may deserve water.” The Russian Federation then stated that further humanitarian aid into the region is necessary, but does not have trust in the Security Council to discuss the matter in good faith. The Russian Federation succeeded in its effort to prevent setting the agenda to the war in Ukraine, instead working with fellow Member States to set the agenda to issues in the Middle East.

Member States, though swayed to move away from discussing the war in Ukraine, have condemned the Russian Federation’s double veto, with Representative Sam Pepper of Brazil stating that, “Historically, the double veto has only been used three times in the most dire of circumstances…it represented a shift in Russian policy as Russia had previously expressed a willingness to work with Brazil and other nations [on Ukraine].” Representative Pepper then expressed the need for UNSC reform, stating that the “presence of veto powers in the Security Council spits in the face of democracy.” Representative Josh Chao of the United States stated that, “With the threat of double veto, the Russian Federation is avoiding its duties and responsibilities to the international community and its commitments to the body…If the Russian Federation continues this course of action, ourselves and our international partners will have no choice but to look towards alternative resolutions in maintaining peace within Ukraine and prevent further war.” As the Security Council heads into deliberations for issues in several Middle Eastern countries, clear lines in the sand have been drawn with the use of the double veto, and Member States will have much mistrust to wade through.