UN-doing Sanctions: The Significance of Russia’s Mali Veto

... debates over Russia abusing veto privileges overshadowed the purpose of the veto itself. Throughout the last decade, Russia has gone out of its way to solidify its great power status, not only in the eyes of its people, but to the entire world. The Mali veto symbolically positioned Russia to act as what it views as a protector of “individual state interests” – the big permanent Security Council member that is willing to look out for the bullied “small guy” in international politics. In addition ...