Mediating invasion conflict by the UN: Case of the invasion of Ukraine

Yordan Gunawan; Reza Yusuf Prasetyo

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025082

Keywords:

Abstract

This paper critically assesses the role of the United Nations (UN) in mediating the war between Russia and Ukraine, focusing on the organization's problems and limits in sustaining international peace and security. The study is based on a detailed review of secondary sources, including UN papers, official reports, academic journals, and news items, using a normative legal research technique in conjunction with a qualitative descriptive approach. The main goal is to evaluate the roles and responsibilities of important UN entities, notably the Security Council and the Secretary-General, in their attempts to mediate the dispute in conformity with the UN Charter. The findings show that, despite various mediation efforts, such as those facilitated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and recommendations by the United Nations General Assembly, the effectiveness of these efforts has been significantly hampered by the realpolitik of the Security Council's permanent members and the broader dynamics of global politics. These constraints have hindered the UN's ability to act aggressively in ending the crisis. To improve the mediation process, the research suggests including neutral foreign parties such as China, Turkey, India, and South Africa, who may bring a more balanced approach to negotiation. It also emphasizes the need of closer collaboration with regional and global organisations, as well as a larger role for UN agencies like as the UNHCR, WHO, and OCHA in supporting long-term peace initiatives. These stages are critical for ensuring that diplomatic efforts are supplemented by strong humanitarian and development activities, eventually leading to a long-term settlement of the conflict.
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How to cite

Gunawan, Y., & Reza Yusuf Prasetyo. (2024). Mediating invasion conflict by the UN: Case of the invasion of Ukraine . Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(3), 2025082. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025082

[1] Ademmer, E. (2014). Interdependence and EU-demanded policy change in a shared neighborhood. Journal of European Public Policy, 22(5), 671-689.

[2] Aji, A. B., Joko Setiyono, S. H., & Hum, M. (2023). Conflict Resolution between Russia and Ukraine Based on an International Law Perspective.

[3] ALIF JIHAD RAIS. (2023). LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AS A MEDIATOR IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE DISPUTES. Universitas Islam Indonesia.

[4] Dickson, E. E., & Gabriel, T. A. (2024). 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. Journal of Public Administration, Policy and Governance Research, 2(1), 161–175.

[5] El Hosseiny, S. (2020). Human Rights Council virtual informal conversation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Joint NGO statement on the United Nations’ COVID-19 response.

[6] Guliyev, F., & Gawrich, A. (2021). OSCE mediation strategies in Eastern Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh: a comparative analysis. European Security, 30(4), 569–588.

[7] Hendrix, C., & Noland, M. (2023). The West versus Beijing? Determinants of the UN Human Rights Council vote (not) to debate human rights in Xinjiang.

[8] Khan, R., & Shah, A. A. (2024). The Dragon’s Diplomacy: Assessing China’s Role as a Mediator in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis and Its Implications for Regional Stability. SOCIAL PRISM, 1(1), 53–67.

[9] Kraska, J. (2021). Command Accountability for AI Weapon Systems in the Law of Armed Conflict. International Law Studies, 97(1), 22.

[10] Mahilaj, S. (2023). EU and OSCE Cooperation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Impacts and Limitations. ESI Preprints, 15, 49.

[11] Malitz, D. M., & Sriyai, S. (2022). Civil societies’ reactions of East-and Southeast Asian countries to the Russian war on Ukraine: Preliminary observations. Working Papers on East Asian Studies.

[12] Mardiah, R. (2023). International Law: Existence in International Dispute Settlement Efforts as a Symbol of Peace in the International Community. Muhammadiyah Law Review, 7(2), 24–38.

[13] Mbara, G. C., & Graham, S. (2023). Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: What relevance for the United Nations Security Council reforms? Journal of African Foreign Affairs, 10(2).

[14] Murithi, T. (2022). The Failure of the United Nations Security Council in Creating the Framework Conditions for Mediation in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis. The Strategic Review for Southern Africa, 44(1).

[15] Nista, F. P. (2020). The European Union’s role as a conflict mediator: the cases of the Russo-Georgian War and the Ukrainian Crisis.

[16] Pasqa, M., & Gatara, A. A. S. (2023). Crisis in the Multilateral System: The United Nations Dilemma in the Fallout of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Politicon: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 5(2), 227–254.

[17] Perbawa, I. K. S. L. P. (2022). The Role of United Nations on War Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine. International Journal of Social Science and Business, 6(4), 496–501. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijssb.v6i4.45729

[18] Rahman, S. U., & Jarral, M. A. (2022). Applying different modes of alternate dispute resolution to conflict situations: a case study of Russia-Ukraine war. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(2).

[19] Syaefudin, M. N. A., & Sadiawati, D. (2024). Analysis of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in Terms of Humanitarian Law. Jurnal Ilmiah Mizani: Wacana Hukum, Ekonomi Dan Keagamaan, 10(1), 160–170.

[20] Trahan, J. (2023). The Role of the UN Security Council & General Assembly in Responding to the Invasion of Ukraine. Polish Rev. Int’l & Eur. L., 12, 23.

[21] Trunh, L. (2023). The Impact of the Russian and Ukrainian Wars on Business Stability in the World. Journal of Current Research in Business and Economics, 2(1), 217–265.

[22] Tulun, T. E. (2022). NATO Is Not Brain-Dead: How Can OSCE And NATO Help Stop The War In Ukraine? Available at SSRN 4228016.

[23] Vakulenko, V. (2020). Public sector reforms in Ukraine: roles played by global and local agents in implementing converging and diverging changes.

[24] Winaldi, Y., & Setiyono, J. (2022). Russian Conflict On Ukraine Based On Humanitarian Law Perspective. Law Reform, 18(2), 252–263.

[25] United Nations. (n.d.). United Nations Charter, Chapter I: Purposes and Principles . Retrieved from United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/uncharter/chapter-1

Abstract

References

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