German politician Baerbock criticizes Russia for the first time at the United Nations.
Firing Back at the Kremlin: Baerbock Hits Back at Russia in UN Debut
At her first appearance before the United Nations, Russia took a swipe at Annalena Baerbock, the newly-designated President of the General Assembly. The Green politician didn't hold back and fiercely dismissed the unfounded allegations, clarifying her intentions for the role.
During this inaugural speech, Russian Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitri Poljanski slammed Baerbock for what he deemed as "flagrant bias" and ignorance. Poljanski, known for his love of propaganda and hardline approach, also resurrected the age-old claim that Baerbock is "proud of her grandfather who served in the SS."
Terming this a misinterpretation of history, Baerbock set the record straight. She emphasized that any discussion about history needs to be based on facts, and the claims about her grandpa are baseless. Baerbock's grandfather, though an officer in the Wehrmacht, served on the Eastern Front, not in the SS. Moscow has repeatedly tried to tarnish Baerbock's reputation by bringing up her lineage in connection to the SS, a Nazi paramilitary force.
As Baerbock had been a vocal critic of Russia's actions in Ukraine when she was the Foreign Minister, she had often faced criticism from Moscow. In her new role, however, she vowed to serve as a mediator for the 193 member states of the UN, leaving her national identity behind but not her commitment to justice and peace.
The contest for the UNGA presidency, which is largely ceremonial, is set to take place on June 2. With no competition in sight, the vote is considered a formality. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for September 9, just before the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, where leaders from across the globe unite to discuss major global issues.
Source: ntv.de, jki/dpa
- Annalena Baerbock
- Russia
- United Nations (UN)
Additional Insights:Baerbock's priorities as the President of the UN General Assembly revolve around advancing UN reform, implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a transparent process for selecting the next UN Secretary-General, accelerating climate action, and upholding human rights [4]. Her approach is encapsulated in the motto of a United Nations that acts "Better Together" to address peace, sustainability, and human rights concerns collectively [3].
During her tenure, Baerbock aims to promote consensus and dialogue among all member states, ensuring that the UN remains a platform for the peaceful resolution of disputes and collective action [3][4]. Vietnam's Permanent Representative, expressing support for her candidacy, called for her to uphold and respect international law and the UN Charter, and to ensure a transparent UN reform process with the full participation of all member states [4].
The Commission, in alignment with Baerbock's new role at the United Nations, has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the European Parliament and the Council are consulted on the draft directive regarding the ongoing issues in war-and-conflicts and politics, as these matters are of general news importance and directly impact global peace. As Baerbock navigates her role as the President of the General Assembly, her commitment to peace and justice remains unwavering, despite Russia's attempts to tarnish her reputation.
