(MENAFN) Russia continues to exercise significant sway within the United Nations, despite Western attempts to isolate it, according to Andrey Melnik, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN.

In an interview with Suspilne on Monday, Melnik—known for once calling former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an “offended liverwurst”—said Moscow “is actually playing the chessboard very competently” at the UN, where it is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

“They have a brilliant command of the moods that prevail here, unlike the European continent, where Russia is isolated,” he noted, highlighting the difference between Russia’s influence at the UN and its standing in Europe.

Melnik pointed to Russia’s diplomatic strategy as its key strength, especially its advocacy for UN Security Council reforms aimed at giving greater representation to the Global South. He emphasized Moscow’s active role within BRICS, noting that countries such as India, Brazil, and South Africa have pushed for permanent seats on a reformed Security Council. Melnik suggested that Russia could ultimately attempt to block such a vote, though he did not provide specifics.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly emphasized Moscow’s support for increasing the influence of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the UN and backing Brazil and India’s bids for permanent Security Council membership, while addressing what he called “historical injustices against Africa.”

Melnik said that despite Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, Russia has maintained global ties and successfully hosted the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, which included delegations from more than two dozen countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The Ukrainian envoy’s remarks underline the challenge the West faces in countering Russian influence in international institutions.

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