“From an operational point of view, the UN Security Council is useless. Russia is not going to shoot itself in the foot by adopting a resolution that calls it into question“, comments Tanguy de Wilde.
Since its creation in 1946, the Security Council has never changed its voting system, recalls the professor: “The five permanent members are the victors of the Second World War. Very soon following its creation, blocks were created within the organization. There was also the Cold War which paralyzed the situation for years. To change the system, everyone must agree. Proposals to remove the right of veto arose but never came to fruition.“
And above all: avoid a nuclear war and a generalized conflict
For the moment, no foreign force has gone to Ukraine to lend a hand. On the other hand, several governments have sent military or humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
By intervening directly in the conflict, NATO and its members risk setting fire to the powder. “Russia’s nuclear potential is significant. In an followingnoon they can blow up the planet“, warns Tanguy de Wilde. “It’s like during the Cold War: we avoided direct confrontation.“
Moreover, if a third State gets involvedthis risks degenerating the conflict even more, adds the professor: “Everything depends on the political opportunity. Here, the aggressor has nuclear power. If other States or organizations intervene directly, we might end up with a generalized conflict in Europe, eventually synonymous with World War III.“