Ukraine War Live Chat w/ Talaria: Russia Isn't Even in the United Nations...
Table of Contents 📖
"The truth is mightier than the sword, and this is the mightiest truth of all."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:36⏩
Jonathan Pearce introduces the topic of Russia's place in the UN, specifically its position on the UN Security Council. He welcomes his guest, Talaria, a lawyer from New Zealand, and plays a short introductory video about the UN Security Council.
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Guest Introduction - Talaria
🎦 00:36-04:00⏩
Talaria introduces herself as a lawyer originally from New Zealand, with Ukrainian heritage. She emphasises her interest in justice, and expresses concern that the UN Security Council is failing in its duty to maintain peace, prompting her investigation into its workings.
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Russia's UN Membership Status
🎦 04:00-14:00⏩
Talaria argues that Russia is not a member of the UN. She outlines the two ways to join: as a foundation member (which the USSR, Ukraine, and Belarus were, but not Russia) or by being admitted by the General Assembly upon recommendation by the Security Council (which never happened for Russia). Talaria points to Articles 3, 4, and 23 of the UN Charter as evidence. She highlights that the USSR was abolished in December 1991, and Russia was just one of its 15 member states. Russia left the USSR before it was formally abolished.
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The Myth of Inherited UNSC Seat
🎦 14:00-18:27⏩
Jonathan and Talaria discuss the misconception of Russia inheriting the USSR's UN Security Council seat. Talaria uses the analogy of a life peer in the UK's House of Lords, whose membership (and "seat") dissolves upon death and cannot be inherited. She argues that similarly, the USSR's Security Council "seat" ceased to exist with the dissolution of the USSR.
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Dissolution of the USSR
🎦 18:27-25:21⏩
Talaria explains the Belavezha Accords, signed by Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine on 8 December 1991, declaring the USSR no longer existed. Russia ratified this on 12 December 1991. Although other members hadn't yet left the USSR, they all did by 21 December 1991, which is considered the official date of dissolution. Yeltsin then attempted to rally support from other former states. Talaria states that they had no authority, as it should be the General Assembly who vote on this matter. Jonathan offers the analogy of siblings trying to use their deceased mother's vote.
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Amending the UN Charter
🎦 25:21-30:38⏩
The discussion moves to amending the UN Charter. Talaria argues that changing permanent members requires amending Article 23, which in turn requires the process outlined in Article 108. Russian disinformation has spread the lie that removing Russia requires reforming the UN, when in fact Russia was never admitted in the first place. Even the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes this disinformation.
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The Precedent of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
🎦 30:38-36:47⏩
Talaria uses the precedent of the Republic of China (Taiwan), whose representatives occupied China's seat for 20 years after being expelled from mainland China. Eventually, the UN recognized the People's Republic of China as the lawful representative, simply expelling the illegitimate representatives. Talaria argues the same should be done with Russia.
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How Did this Happen? The 1993 Russian Coup and Neoliberal Influence
🎦 36:47-47:48⏩
Jonathan and Talaria discuss how Russia managed to occupy the USSR's seat. Talaria links this to the 1993 Russian coup, where Yeltsin, supported by the US, violently suppressed the Duma. She claims that Yeltsin was prompted by a US lobby group with neoliberal economists (Milton Friedman's Chicago Boys were mentioned). They allegedly encouraged asset stripping of the USSR, leading to the crisis and Yeltsin's actions. Talaria believes this granted Russia, under Yeltsin, the veto power within the UN Security Council. This was supposedly a move by the Americans to bring Russia into the capitalist fold. She also questions if the assets were legitimately Russia’s. This coup was likened to Russia’s actions in Crimea and Donbas in 2014, contrasting with the Euromaidan Revolution.
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Proposed Resolution and Legal Basis
🎦 47:48-56:26⏩
Talaria proposes a resolution to expel Russia's representatives, citing legal bases and precedents. She states the precedent of the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, which broke up and where Serbia and Montenegro tried to maintain the old seat but were rejected. This decision was made by both the Security Council and the General Assembly. She argues a simple majority (51%) in the UN General Assembly could pass the resolution, as it's about expelling trespassers, not a member state. The resolution is based on the fact that the USSR no longer exists, Russia was never a member, and its presence violates the UN Charter.
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YouTube Censorship and Disinformation
🎦 56:26-1:32:04⏩
The conversation shifts to YouTube's censorship of comments. Talaria notes her detailed comments explaining the UN situation are often deleted, while short, pro-Russia comments are promoted. She highlights differences between "top comments" and "newest first" sorting, showing how YouTube seemingly promotes certain narratives. This is seen as another way Russia spreads disinformation. Jonathan agrees, stating YouTube is violating freedom of speech. He calls for regulation and policing of YouTube to ensure freedom of speech.
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Wrap up
🎦 1:32:04-1:39:02⏩
Jonathan thanks Talaria for her work, highlighting its importance. He encourages viewers to share the video. He thanks various members of his community for their support. He expresses frustration with mainstream media’s silence on this topic and calls on viewers to raise the issue with their MPs and media contacts.
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