UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — Some members of the UN Security Council misuse sanctions, acting as if they are entitled to control certain countries and entire regions of the world, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Vladimir Safronkov said.
"Unfortunately, certain members of the [UN Security] Council abuse their rights when they look at different regions or even countries as their own lands and act as mentors on various issues," Safronkov stated on Thursday.
The diplomat made his comments during the Security Council debate that was organized by Venezuela, which chairs the Council during the month of February.
Safronkov argued that sanctions in and of themselves do not lead to political solutions.
On February 2, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin explained Moscow’s reasoning, warning that proposed sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs could trigger a humanitarian and economic collapse of the country.
The Russian diplomat noted that sanctions cannot be a means in themselves of ensuring lasting political solutions.
The following week, the Security Council promised to take action against North Korea. But beyond statements condemning the isolated communist state, the UN body has yet to impose any penalties.
