To become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia has now set a new threshold:

On July 3, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated: "Countries that do not condemn Nazism have no right to become permanent members of the UN Security Council."

Lukyanets, Director of the Department for Multilateral Cooperation on Human Rights at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference: "Germany, Japan, and Italy have consistently voted against the UN resolution condemning the glorification of Nazism since 2022. As long as these three countries continue to vote this way, they 'have no right to apply for permanent membership in the Security Council.' After all, when they joined the UN, they acknowledged their responsibility for WWII and pledged never to repeat such crimes—yet clearly, they have not abandoned the ideologies that led to the outbreak of WWII."

Lukyanets’s remarks were clearly aimed at the "G3": Germany, Japan, and Italy have been quietly probing or pushing for permanent membership in recent years. Germany is central to the G4 initiative; Japan and Italy each maintain their own small coalitions. Russia’s logic is straightforward: if you refuse to vote against glorifying Nazism, you haven’t truly turned the page on WWII—so why should you be admitted into the five permanent members?

In past years, Germany, Japan, and Italy argued that such resolutions were politicized and double-standarded—but Russia has now raised the stakes by linking it directly to the moral qualification for permanent membership.

In essence, the reform of the Security Council remains deadlocked due to the veto power held by the five permanent members. Russia’s move is more of a narrative battle: historical accountability is one of Moscow’s few solid cards within the UN system. For Germany, Japan, and Italy to gain permanent membership, merely winning over Washington won’t suffice—they must also clear Moscow’s “Nazi/WWII” hurdle, which can indefinitely block their path.

Moreover, aligning with China’s recent move to place 20 Japanese defense-related entities under sanctions, and Japan’s deployment of missiles at Minami-Tori-shima (South Bird Island), the coordinated pressure from Beijing and Moscow on Tokyo along both historical and security fronts is clearly synchronized. As for Germany and Italy, Berlin and Rome are likely left only with bitter laughter: after two decades of loudly advocating for permanent membership, they’ve been brought up short by Russia’s simple retort: "You voted the wrong way"—a far more stubborn obstacle than any procedural delay.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869687769404480/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.