Former U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld once observed, “The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.” Unfortunately, recent events have shown that neither goal is within its grasp.
The U.N.’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been anemic. The General Assembly passed nonbinding, hand-slap condemnations. Other U.N. organizations similarly condemned Russia’s actions. But punitive measures have been largely absent. In 1974, the U.N. suspended South Africa from the organization as a punishment for its apartheid policy. But today, Russia, despite invading a sovereign nation and committing numerous war crimes, remains a member in good standing, and no U.N. sanctions have been applied because Russia can veto Security Council resolutions.