Russia Invasion of Ukraine, Veto Power and the Position of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Conflict Prevention and Maintenance of International Peace and Security

Abstract

This paper examines some of most complex and intriguing issues surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the role of UNSC and the five Permanent Members(P5) with veto powers. It raises a fundamental question whether we should hope that the world would be a better place if the P5 are tripped of the veto. To address this question, the study attempts a critical analysis of debates surrounding the relevance of the veto power exercised by the P5. And examined moral challenge of the P5 in the exercise of the veto power. The study adopted the qualitative content analysis approach whereby data collected from secondary source were reviewed and analyzed within the purview of the study. The paper argued that the five permanent member veto option remain an instrument of the last resort in the resistance against uncontested power and casual use of the veto by powerful nations; as the P5 have held the UN together despite the veto diametrically opposed blocs. Finally, conclude in a way of policy prescription as an alternative.