Espreso. Global

Russia can be expelled from UN: ex-chairman of Lithuanian Constitutional Court describes mechanism

29 September, 2023 Friday
17:35

Russia can be expelled from the UN de facto by refusing to recognize the powers of its representatives. Such a precedent was set with respect to the Republic of South Africa

client/title.list_title

Dainius Žalimas, the president of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania (2014-2021), the dean of the Faculty of Law at Vytautas Magnus University and a member of the Venice Commission, said this in an interview with Ukrinform

De jure, it is impossible to expel Russia from the UN, because the aggressor country will certainly use its veto.

"Formally, Russia should be expelled not only from the Security Council but from the UN in general. There is a reason for this - aggression as a serious violation of the UN Charter. But this is impossible because expulsion is approved by 2/3 of the UN General Assembly after the recommendation of the Security Council. We all understand that Russia will not agree with such a recommendation and will veto it," said Žalimas.

At the same time, he said, there is a loophole.

"But there is a mechanism to exclude Russia from the UN de facto. This is a refusal to recognize the powers of Russia's representatives by a majority vote in the General Assembly, as well as in the Security Council. This is a procedural issue, and it is impossible to veto it in the Security Council. The reason is the policy of the Russian government, which is not peaceful and is directed against the goals and principles of the UN, which are spelled out in the organization's charter. Such a precedent was set in the case of South Africa when its representatives were not recognized because of the apartheid policy," the lawyer said.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Saturday
19 April
13:31
OPINION
"Contra spem spero"
13:16
Nearly 100 Russian soldiers attempt to flee military unit in Krasnodar
13:00
OPINION
Zero hour: situation nears its breaking point
12:43
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, April 12-19
April 12–19 live war map: Russian forces launch desperate motorcycle assaults in rush to capture any ground
12:27
Review
Russia resorts to missile terror tactics, regroups on frontlines. Serhiy Zgurets' column
12:05
Exclusive
Which country can help Ukraine strengthen its air defense? Expert explains
11:33
Lithuania plans to fortify Suwałki Corridor amid fears of potential Russian attack
11:11
Panic grips Russian Black Sea Fleet: senior officers’ families flee Sevastopol
10:54
Russia loses 940,000 troops in war against Ukraine
10:36
U.S. reportedly open to recognizing Crimea as Russian in potential peace deal — media
10:21
Updated
Trump confirms U.S. may withdraw from mediation between Russia, Ukraine
2025, Friday
18 April
21:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian politician: Trump can't blame Ukraine for failed peace talks
21:30
Exclusive
Trump aims to establish "mini-Trump" governments across Europe — foreign relations expert 
21:10
Trump declares record number of emergencies in first 100 days
20:55
Troops fighting since 2022 to be replaced: Ukraine’s Defense Ministry discusses rotation plans
20:30
“Helping is Christian thing to do”: Zelenskyy appeals to U.S. for air defense after Kharkiv attack
20:10
Updated
Russia’s attack on Kharkiv kills one, injures over 100
19:50
OPINION
Ukraine war will not end: Paris talks signal collapse of diplomacy with Moscow
19:26
First woman becomes F-16 fighter pilot in Poland
19:05
U.S. outlines peace deal, proposing to freeze war, leave Ukraine's territories under Russian control
18:41
Exclusive
Russia’s seeks to exploit Ukrainian children for military potential — Bring Kids Back UA
18:19
Russian forces launch 65 attacks on April 18, focus on Pokrovsk
18:01
About 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain under Russian occupation — Bring Kids Back UA
17:38
Russia launches propaganda against Moldova over alleged persecution of Russian Orthodox church
17:19
OPINION
Ukraine peace is out of reach: understanding the logic behind Trump’s next moves
16:58
Russia’s "traditional values" on Good Friday are war crimes — Latvian Foreign Minister
16:42
Washington offers sanctions relief to Moscow in Ukraine peace proposal — media
16:15
U.S. Vice President Vance sees “interesting developments” in Russia-Ukraine talks
15:50
Kremlin responds to U.S. statement on potential withdrawal from Ukraine peace efforts
15:37
Exclusive
Starving, but in Russian military uniforms: Bring Kids Back UA on Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children
15:14
Ukraine returns bodies of 909 fallen defenders
14:56
Review
Between ambition and reality: what’s blocking Ukraine from getting 10 Patriot systems
14:38
Exclusive
PM Shmyhal highlights role of Ukraine-U.S. memorandum in critical minerals deal
14:20
OPINION
Peace in 24 hours: end of illusion
14:05
Witkoff says Ukraine less concerned about its "Russian-speaking" regions
13:29
Russian forces shift to mass motorcycle assaults in Ukraine — military expert
13:10
Exclusive
Germany may send 100 TAURUS missiles to Ukraine if Merz agrees — military expert
12:53
Beijing denies Zelenskyy's accusations of supplying weapons to Russia
12:35
U.S. aims for Ukraine ceasefire within weeks
12:01
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5
Russian column assault fails in Orikhiv direction — Ukraine's 128th Brigade
More news