"Russia's Veto Power and Sanctions Relief Threaten UN's SDGs"

Russia, along with allies Belarus, Iran, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Eritrea, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, has threatened to block the adoption of a new political declaration at the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit, arguing that sanctions undermine their progress towards achieving the SDGs. The countries referred to the sanctions as "unilateral coercive measures" and highlighted the negative impact on their capacities to implement the SDGs. Independent experts have criticized Russia for failing to meet its SDGs, citing the war on Ukraine as a major setback. The suspension of international cooperation, loss of incentives for decarbonization, and the exodus of renewable energy companies have hindered Russia's progress. Despite the collective appeal, the new declaration was adopted, but experts believe countries advocating for the lifting of sanctions may still oppose it. Critics argue that Russia is using the SDG agenda to manipulate the world into repealing sanctions.