Putin Links ‘Fairer World Order’ to UN’s Central Role

While advocating for a “fairer, multipolar world order,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that this new system should be “grounded in international law, with the central coordinating role of the United Nations.” This aspect of his vision seeks to legitimize his challenge to the status quo by appealing to established international norms.
In his remarks before the SCO Summit, Putin positioned the SCO’s mission as complementary to, not in opposition to, the UN Charter. He suggested that the SCO contributes to a more balanced global system, which would ultimately strengthen the UN’s ability to act as a neutral arbiter.
This framing is a strategic move to counter accusations that Russia and China are attempting to build a revisionist bloc that undermines existing global institutions. Instead, Putin argues they are working to reform the international system to make it more equitable and truly representative of all nations.
By grounding his vision in the language of international law and UN centrality, Putin aims to broaden its appeal beyond the core SCO and BRICS members. He is presenting a case for a world where power is more diffuse but still operates within a recognized framework of global governance.