UN Charter Includes Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty, and the Right to Self-Determination
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the United Nations Charter not only addresses the unity and sovereignty of nations but also underscores the right of peoples to self-determination. This statement was made during the international science fiction symposium “Let’s Make the Future,” coinciding with Russia’s National Unity Day on November 4.
UN Charter Includes Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty, and the Right to Self-Determination
Lavrov criticized Western demands, supported by the UN Secretariat, for Ukraine to “reclaim its territories” within the 1991 borders, referencing the UN Charter’s principle of respecting regional integrity. He pointed out that the Charter, before mentioning regional security, acknowledges the right to self-determination, which has been pivotal in decolonization efforts.
He emphasized that the UN Secretary-General should guide his representative to offer clearer interpretations of international law and should read the Charter in its entirety, rather than selectively focusing on parts that serve current conflicts.
Lavrov noted that the Secretary-General, António Guterres, has only now, after about three years, “remembered” the risk of internationalizing the Ukrainian crisis, despite the West’s long-standing preparation of Ukraine for war.
The symposium, held at the “Russia” National Center in Moscow from November 4 to 6, features representatives from 87 countries, aligning with discussions on international law, sovereignty, and self-determination.
Source: Novosti
