Russia backs more permanent UNSC members but rejects Erdogan’s call to scrap veto powers. Moscow also supports India’s bid for a permanent seat.

Introduction

Russia has backed the expansion of permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), but rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call to abolish both permanent seats and veto powers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Moscow supports reforming the Security Council and increasing the number of permanent members. However, he stressed that Russia considers permanent membership and the veto to be important elements of the UN structure.

The statement highlights a major divide in the long-running debate over how the powerful UN body should be reformed and made more representative of the present global order.

Russia Supports Expansion of Permanent Membership

Responding to questions about Erdogan’s proposal, Peskov said Russia supports expanding the Security Council’s permanent membership while retaining the existing veto system.

The UNSC currently has 15 members. Five countries, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, hold permanent seats. The remaining 10 members are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms.

Under the existing system, the five permanent members possess veto powers that can prevent the adoption of substantive Security Council resolutions.

Russia’s position therefore supports one part of the broader reform agenda, namely greater permanent representation, while opposing proposals that would remove the veto or eliminate the permanent-member category altogether.

Erdogan Calls for Major Overhaul of UNSC

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly criticised the current structure of the Security Council.

His position is that the five permanent, veto-wielding members do not adequately represent the international community and that the existing structure can make decisive action difficult.

Erdogan has called for the abolition of both permanent membership and veto powers, advocating a system that would better reflect today’s international balance.

The disagreement with Moscow is therefore fundamental. While both sides recognise the need for reform, they differ over whether permanent membership and veto powers should remain part of the Security Council.

Russia’s Support for India’s Permanent Seat

Russia has consistently supported India’s candidature for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has also stated that Russia has consistently expressed support for India’s bid for permanent membership.

India has been advocating comprehensive reform of the Security Council, including greater representation for developing countries and regions that remain underrepresented.

The Group of Four, comprising India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, has proposed an expanded Security Council with additional permanent and non-permanent seats. Its model calls for six new permanent members, including representation from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and other states.

Why UNSC Reform Remains a Global Issue

The composition of the Security Council was established in the aftermath of World War II. Since then, the number of UN member states and the distribution of economic and political influence around the world have changed significantly.

Many countries argue that the Council should better represent regions such as Africa, Asia and Latin America.

UN discussions over the years have included proposals ranging from adding new permanent members to expanding only elected membership and changing the way veto powers are used. There remains no consensus among UN member states on a single reform model.

The veto remains one of the most contentious parts of the debate. Some governments have called for its abolition or restriction, while others argue that it remains central to the functioning of the Security Council.

Russia’s Position and India’s Claim

For India, Russia’s continued backing is significant because Moscow is itself one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

India argues that the Council should reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and provide greater representation to developing countries. Indian representatives have also called for comprehensive reform covering membership, regional representation, the veto, the size of an expanded Council and its working methods.

Russia has similarly argued in UN discussions that greater representation for African, Asian and Latin American countries is necessary for a more representative Security Council.

Key Highlights

• Russia supports expanding the number of permanent UNSC members.
• Moscow wants the existing veto system to remain.
• Erdogan has called for abolishing both permanent membership and veto powers.
• The UNSC currently has 15 members, including five permanent members.
• India is seeking a permanent seat on the Security Council.
• Russia has consistently supported India’s candidature for permanent membership.
• The Group of Four, including India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, has proposed six additional permanent seats.
• UN member states remain divided over the structure and future use of veto powers.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on publicly available information and statements reported by established third-party news agencies and official institutional sources, including Reuters, the United Nations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Statements and positions attributed to political leaders or governments are presented for informational purposes and do not represent independent conclusions. Information reflects the situation reported as of September 22, 2026.

Conclusion

Russia’s latest position reinforces its support for expanding permanent representation on the UN Security Council while maintaining the veto powers of permanent members. Erdogan’s proposal takes a fundamentally different approach by seeking to remove both permanent membership and veto rights.