BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations told an auditorium of Lehigh University students Wednesday that flaws at the heart of the global diplomatic organization prevented it from addressing some of the world's greatest problems.
The decisions made decades ago to shape a new world order have led Russia and other bad actors to believe they can act with impunity on the global stage, said Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya. Even U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged the world's primary diplomatic organization — the United Nations — has a limited means to an end the largest war in Europe since World War II, Kyslytsya said.
"Today’s global order is not working for everyone. In fact, I would go further and say it’s not working for anyone. Our world is facing existential challenges, but the global community is more [...] divided than anytime during the past 75 years," Kyslytsya said. "Even the Cold War era was in some ways less dangerous."
The comments came during an hourlong Q&A session at Lehigh University's Rauch Business Center. The event was open only to about 200 members of the Lehigh community and invited media. Kyslytsya spoke for about 15 minutes before answering student questions on topics ranging from America's relationship with Ukraine to building a career as a diplomat.
Kyslytsya rose to international attention in 2022 when he denounced Russia and its leadership at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia had denied for weeks it was planning an invasion of Ukraine only to attack as U.S. intelligence had warned.
When Russia vetoed a draft resolution before the U.N. Security Council calling on Russia to remove its forces from Ukrainian territory and immediately cease fighting, Kyslytsya told his Russian counterpart, "Your words have less value than a hole in a New York pretzel.”
'You cannot cancel the system'
His comments at Lehigh focused on how Russia has been able to thumb its nose at the world.
In the wake of World War II, the victors built systems intended to promote peace and cement their own status as global powers, Kyslytsya said. Russia inherited the Soviet Union's authority in these organizations and has manipulated them for its own benefit.
As an example, he pointed to Russia's focus on destroying Ukrainian heritage sites. Historic churches have been targeted by missiles, and artifacts have been looted from Ukrainian museums. Despite its actions, Russia was not only allowed to remain on UNESCO's World Heritage Committee but chaired it for the first nine months of the war.
Despite these fundamental problems, Kyslytsya said the world has little choice but to engage in the U.N. and other organizations until a better system is devised.
In order to protect their interests, nations such as China and Russia have to attend these meetings to protect their interests, giving the world a chance to hold them publicly accountable, he said.
"You can be very frustrated that at the end of the day, the system doesn’t work for anyone. On the other hand, you cannot cancel the system."Sergiy Kyslytsya
"You can be very frustrated that at the end of the day, the system doesn’t work for anyone. On the other hand, you cannot cancel the system," Kyslytsya said. "If you cancel the system without having a viable alternative, it is only our enemies and opponents who will win."
When asked about the United States' impact on Ukraine, Kyslytsya described an imperfect ally.
For too long, the West treated Russia with kid gloves, believing that it could be rehabilitated into a healthy democracy. As a result, it turned a blind eye to Russia's actual record of killing thousands of its own citizens in Chechnya in the 1990s and invading Crimea in 2014.
Even in 2021, as American intelligence warned the world that Russia intended to invade its neighbor, America has pulled its punches, Kyslystya said.
Instead of providing Ukraine with military aide, American leadership initially assumed Ukraine would not be able to resist. It wasn't until Ukraine pushed back the initial Russian invasion in Ukraine's west that Western aid and supplies began to arrive. Even when missiles, tanks and other supplies arrived, it came with limitations that they could not be used on targets inside Russia, he said.
Despite those frustrations, Ukraine recognizes the United States as an important ally, he said. His nation cannot hold off the Russians without American military supplies and financing, he said.
"We are genuinely, genuinely thankful to every American — even if this American is not a politically active citizen — because every law-abiding American is a taxpayer."Sergiy Kyslytsya
"We are genuinely, genuinely thankful to every American — even if this American is not a politically active citizen — because every law-abiding American is a taxpayer. Because the assistance comes mostly from the financial [resources]," Kyslytsya said.
Hands-on diplomacy
When asked how young people can contribute to peace-building efforts across the world, Kyslytsya said that people at all stages of need to be dutiful citizens.
That applies even to teenagers and students, he said.
It's tempting to consider college as a time to party before the responsibilities of life set in, he said. But it's the best opportunity to temper youthful creativity and activism with knowledge and experience, he said.
"...If you cannot learn in your time at Lehigh, you will never have time to learn."Sergiy Kyslytsya
"You may say, 'I will learn later.' No, if you cannot learn in your time at Lehigh, you will never have time to learn. You will not be a successful foreign service officer," Kyslytsya said.
Students need to focus on achievable goals and find ways to bring about positive change in the world. While promoting big ticket items such as battling climate change may be popular, they're often too big an issue for individuals to resolve on their own.
It's better to begin with real problems they can put their hands around and drive change, he said.
The Q&A session was part of Lehigh's Copeland Family Ambassadorial Speaker Series.
For 20 years, the university has enjoyed a partnership with the United Nations and has been certified as a U.N. nongovernmental organization. Each year, more than 1,000 students, faculty and alumni participate in internships, briefings and meetings with ambassadors on campus and in New York, according to the university.
As of this year, 60 Lehigh students and alumni have earned an internship at the U.N., university President Joseph Helble said.
