Russia has called for an expansion of the United Nations Security Council’s permanent membership while insisting that the existing veto system should remain in place.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed Moscow’s position on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in response to calls by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for fundamental changes to the structure of the powerful UN body.
Peskov said Russia supports reform of the Security Council but believes permanent membership and veto powers remain important components of the United Nations system.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Peskov said Russia supports increasing the number of countries holding permanent seats on the Security Council.
However, he made clear that Moscow does not support removing the permanent-member arrangement or the veto attached to those seats.
Russia is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, alongside the United States, United Kingdom, France and China.
The five countries have the power to veto substantive resolutions, giving them significant influence over decisions on international peace and security.
Peskov said Russia considers both permanent membership and the veto to be important elements of the UN’s institutional structure.
The Kremlin’s position follows renewed criticism from Erdoğan over the current composition of the Security Council.
The Turkish president has repeatedly argued that the five permanent members do not adequately represent the wider international community.
Erdoğan has also criticised the veto system, arguing that it can prevent the United Nations from responding quickly to major international crises.
His latest position calls for the removal of both permanent membership and veto powers as part of a broader restructuring of the Security Council.
The disagreement highlights a long-running international debate over whether the Security Council reflects the geopolitical realities of the modern world.
Countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America have frequently pushed for greater representation in the council, including calls for additional permanent and non-permanent seats.
Supporters of expansion argue that the UN’s most powerful decision-making body should better reflect the size and diversity of today’s international community.
The five permanent members, however, retain their veto rights under the current UN Charter framework.
Russia’s latest position suggests Moscow is open to expanding permanent representation but does not support abandoning the veto mechanism.
Reforming the Security Council requires broad international agreement and changes to the UN Charter, making the issue one of the organisation’s most difficult institutional questions.
The debate is expected to remain prominent as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
For Russia, the preferred direction is an expanded permanent membership structure while preserving the veto powers currently held by the five permanent members.
