Germany blames Russia for 'bitter defeat' in UN Security Council bid

Johann Wadephul said it was "no secret" Russia had stirred up sentiment against Germany over its support for Ukraine. Germany blames Russia for failed UN Security Council bid Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul attends a meeting of the UN General Assembly for the election of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on June 3, 2026 Germany blames Russia for 'bitter defeat' in UN Security Council bid Germany's foreign minister says support for Ukraine and Israel may have cost votes after Berlin failed to secure a rotating spot on the UN Security Council. Johann Wadephul described losing out to Portugal and Austria as a "bitter defeat" after a vote on which countries would become one of the five new members of the council was held on Wednesday evening. "There is our firm support for Ukraine, the fact that Russia does not want such a voice at the Security Council," Wadephul said, adding it was "no secret" Russia had stirred up sentiment against Germany. There are five permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US – and 10 temporary ones. "We have always taken a clear stance on certain issues, and these are positions that not all member states share," Wadephul said. "The fact that Germany must always assume a special responsibility for Israel in the Middle East conflict may also have cost votes," he said. Wadephul also in part blamed his country's late entry into the race for the two-year term on the Security Council. Russia has not responded to accusations it lobbied against Germany's membership. Germany secured 104 votes in its push for one of the two places on the council for the Western European and ​Others Group, with Portugal getting 134 votes in its favour ​and Austria 131. Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad ​and Tobago and Zimbabwe were also elected to the Security Council, which is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions ​such as imposing sanctions and authorising use of force. Missing out on the spot is a blow for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He has been beleaguered at home and now embarrassed abroad, his critics in opposition parties say, given he has advertised himself as a man who would boost Germany's standing on the international stage. He has been beleaguered at home and now embarrassed abroad, his critics in opposition parties say, given he has advertised himself as a man who would boost Germany's standing on the international stage Merz said Germany would continue to be a firm supporter of the international system and congratulated Austria and Portugal. "This result does not alter the tasks we face at the United Nations. Germany remains a reliable pillar of the multilateral system," he said. Melania Trump, sitting in a chair at the US with a binder open before her, presides over a United Nations Security Council meeting Melania Trump chairs UN Security Council meeting on children in conflict amid Iran strikes A montage image showing a German military member, the German national flag and the frigate F 222 Baden Württemberg of the German Navy How Russia's threat has seen Germany become Europe's most important army Germany's chancellor in a light blue suit on the right puts his arm on Zelensky who is wearing black German chancellor promises to help Ukraine produce long-range weapons The RSF's capture of the city in October was one of the most brutal chapters of Sudan's nearly three-year civil war. The US traditionally blocks actions against its close ally Israel at the United Nations. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, and Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative for Israel to the UN, address a UN Security Council meeting. The bus was hit in the eastern Donetsk region, an official says. Several long-range drones struck oil storage facilities near the city, days before Vladimir Putin is due to address the event. Reform leader David Bick says the move does not mean support for the Ukrainian people has reduced. The story of how Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo became the rivalry that transformed football and defined a generation. Russia is intensifying attacks in Ukraine but more than four years of war are causing concern even among Putin loyalists.