Diplomatic defeat for Germany at UN, Berlin raises doubts about Russian influence

Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadefhul, has declared Berlin's strong support for Ukraine and Israel could have cost the country votes in the race for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Germany failed to secure a two-year term on the Security Council after being defeated by Portugal and Austria in the vote held at the UN General Assembly.
Wadephul named the result a bitter “minus”, suggesting that Germany's positions on sensitive international issues have influenced the member states vote.
“There is our strong support for Ukraine and the fact that Russia does not want such a voice at the Security Council”, he said, adding that it is not a secret Russia has promoted attitudes against Germany.
According to the German minister, even the traditional Berlin support for Israel may have negatively affected the outcome of the vote.
Germany received 104 votes, while Portugal secured 134 and Austria 131 votes, winning the two seats reserved for the group of Western European and Other countries.
Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad, and Tobago and Zimbabwe were also elected to the Security Council.
The loss is considered a diplomatic blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had promised to strengthen Germany's role in the international arena. However, Merz stressed that the country would continue to support the multilateral system and commended Austria and Portugal for their choice.











