On November 18, Russia blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution urging an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. The resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, called for a halt to hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), safe passage for civilians, and measures to alleviate a worsening humanitarian crisis that has reached catastrophic proportions.
The proposed resolution outlined specific measures to address the crisis. It urged adherence to the Jeddah Declaration, humanitarian pauses, and secure corridors for aid delivery and civilian evacuation. However, Russia exercised its veto, blocking the resolution’s adoption.
Russia’s decision sparked criticism from Western nations. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy called the veto “cynical and cruel,” noting that Sudan itself supported the resolution. He accused Russia of using sovereignty arguments as a pretext for obstruction. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield described Moscow’s actions as “shocking but not surprising.”
In response, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, emphasized that Moscow acknowledges the urgent need to resolve the conflict but opposes interventions that, in his words, “seek to impose the will of certain Council members on Sudanese people.” Polyanskiy also accused the West of “double standards,” citing UK support for humanitarian violations in the Gaza conflict.
Russia’s non-intervention principle became a cornerstone of its foreign policy following the 2011 Libya crisis. Moscow abstained from vetoing a UN resolution on a no-fly zone, which NATO used to intervene and ultimately overthrow Muammar Gaddafi. The perceived overreach of the UN mandate served as a cautionary tale for Russia, making it wary of resolutions that could justify international intervention.
In Sudan, Russia fears that adopting such a resolution could pave the way for NATO peacekeeping forces to deploy in the country.
By vetoing the resolution, Russia retains leverage over both sides, enabling it to remain a key player in conflict resolution. This strategic choice aligns with Russia’s broader goal of strengthening its influence in Africa. Moscow portrays itself as an alternative to Western dominance, a message that resonates with many African leaders. The success of two Russia-Africa summits illustrates Moscow’s ability to foster cooperation on the continent.
Russia accused Britain of attempting to meddle in Sudanese affairs.
"We agree with all Security Council colleagues that the conflict in Sudan requires a swift resolution. It is also clear that the only way to achieve this is for the warring parties to agree to a ceasefire," Deputy Russian U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the meeting.
He accused backers of the draft resolution of "double standards" when they were giving carte blanche to Israel to continue violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, and said Lammy's criticism was an "excellent demonstration of British neo-colonialism".
