Germany blames Russia for "bitter defeat" in the fight for a seat on the UN Security Council

Germany failed to secure a seat on the UN Security Council, and Johann Wadephul, a high-ranking German official, stated that support for Ukraine and Israel could have cost Berlin votes, UNN reports, citing the BBC.

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Johann Wadephul called the country's loss to Portugal and Austria a "bitter defeat" following the vote on Wednesday evening to determine which countries would become one of the five new members of the council.

"We firmly support Ukraine; Russia does not want such a voice on the Security Council," Wadephul said, adding that it is "no secret" that Russia had been inciting sentiment against Germany.

The UN Security Council has five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the USA—and 10 non-permanent ones.

"We have always taken a clear stance on certain issues, and these are positions that are not shared by all member states," Wadephul said.

"The fact that Germany must always assume a special responsibility for Israel in the Middle East conflict may also have cost votes," said the German representative.

Wadephul also partially blamed the Security Council outcome on his country's late entry into the race for the two-year term.

Russia, as noted, has not responded to the allegations of lobbying against Germany's membership.

Germany received 104 votes in its bid for one of the two seats on the council from the Western European and Others Group, while Portugal received 134 votes in its favor and Austria received 131.

Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were also elected to the Security Council, which is the only UN body capable of making legally binding decisions, such as imposing sanctions and authorizing the use of force.

The failure is a blow to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

His critics from opposition parties say he has been under pressure at home and has now suffered such embarrassment abroad, given that he promoted himself as someone who would strengthen Germany's standing on the international stage, the publication points out.

Merz said that Germany would continue to firmly support the international system and congratulated Austria and Portugal.

"This result does not change the tasks we have before us at the United Nations. Germany remains a reliable pillar of the multilateral system," he said.

Austria and Portugal elected as new members of the UN Security Council04.06.26, 00:15 • 15663 views