The international security order is being undermined by cracks in the UN's structure

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the shaky foundations of the international security order, underscoring the impotence of the United Nations Security Council, writes Takatoshi Ito

After Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution denouncing its invasion at the beginning of the war, the UN General Assembly has passed toothless resolutions, including one on February 23 calling for Russia’s immediate withdrawal. File photo: AP/Seth Wenig

TOKYO – The first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a good opportunity to reflect on the war’s global implications. 

In addition to untold human misery, Russia’s aggression triggered a historic food and energy crisis and caused global inflation to spike, endangering the world’s fragile economic recovery from covid. But the war also highlighted the shakey foundations of the international security order that emerged after the end of World War II, sending shockwaves around the world and encouraging countries like Germany and Japan to re-arm.