Finland's President Advocates for Banning of Single State Veto at UN Security Council

Finland's President Alexander Stubb has advocated for an expansion of the UN Security Council, the elimination of the single-state veto power, and the suspension of any member involved in an "illegal war," citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example.

Stubb announced that he will support calls for reform during next week’s UN General Assembly in New York, where the composition of the Security Council will be a key topic of discussion.

In an interview on September 17, Stubb proposed expanding the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council from 5 to 10, suggesting an additional member from Latin America, two from Africa, and two from Asia.

"No single state should have veto power in the UN Security Council," he told Reuters.

The Security Council currently has 5 permanent members, the US, China, France, Russia, and the UK, each member holds veto power over any resolution.

Stubb said any member engaging in an illegal war, "such as Russia is in right now in Ukraine", should be expelled.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden are planning to address the UN General Assembly on September 24-25.