Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko has urged the United Nations to analyze and update its provisions governing neutral states, warning that the concept is increasingly becoming distorted in today’s global landscape.
According to Matvienko, nations declaring permanent neutrality must strictly adhere to international law and UN Charter obligations. “It seems to me that the time has come for the United Nations to once again analyze its documents and provisions,” she stated. “We need to ensure that states with a neutral status actually follow all rules—not just on paper, but in practice.”
She identified a growing “corrosion” of international neutrality standards, citing Switzerland as an example of a country departing from its obligations by complying with European Union directives and NATO commands while supporting sanctions deemed illegitimate. Matvienko emphasized that such behavior is not unique to Switzerland amid the current “turbulent world.”
Conversely, she highlighted Turkmenistan as a model of consistent neutrality. The Federation Council chair noted that Turkmenistan’s leadership maintains an independent foreign policy in the interests of its citizens, avoids external pressure, and refrains from endorsing illegitimate sanctions measures.
“Russia highly appreciates such a consistent position of Turkmenistan,” Matvienko concluded. “Perhaps this may be one of the few states that truly support this status—not just in words, but in practice.”
