Will the WHO Sideline Russia Over Ukraine? Between Russia and Ukraine lies a conflict which has become increasingly more complex over the past few years. Russia’s attempted occupation of the country and its subsequent sanctions from the United States and its allies has put World Health Organisation (WHO) in a difficult situation: whether to sideline Russia for it’s actions in Ukraine, or remain impartial and work with the country in health related matters.
Background: Understanding the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine largely dates back to the Soviet Union’s break-up, initially stemming from the 1991 referendum in which Ukrainians voted to become independent. Ukraine had historically been part of the Russian Empire and after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the country was made up of highly interconnected networks of economies, identities, and regions.
Fast-forward to 2014 and the Russian Crimea Peninsula saw a military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which resulted in sanctions by the United States and its allies, in response to interference with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial waters. The G-7 countries, the European Union, NATO and Ukraine further invoked economic sanctions against Russia. This conflict has become a sticking point for international organisations such as the WHO who want to remain impartial but also want to prevent the risk of further conflict.
WHO’s Relationship with Russia
The WHO is one of many global organisations in the midst of having to decide whether to support Russia politically or take a principled stand. Russia has long been a member of the WHO, attending World Health Assembly (the decision-making body of WHO) two times in a row. This led to a proposition to end the return of Russia’s involvement, but such a call failed to pass a vote taken at the assembly in 2019.
Russia Is Still Highly Influential With the WHO
As well as attending the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board, Russia has been the recipient of specific grants and support initiatives from the WHO, such as support to strengthen the National Health Service, tuberculosis and cancer control, and fund the recently created National Institute of Epidemiology in Moscow. All of these insinuate that the WHO would still consider Russia an important partner despite its political tensions.
Additionally, the WHO’s Regional Emergency Health Coordinator for Europe, Dr Jarno Habicht met Russia’s ambassador for public health and consumer protection this past summer – a clear sign that the WHO is still interested in developing its relationship with Russia.
What Has Changed With the WHO’s Relationship with Russia?
Despite Dr Jaako Leppeal earning no support from the World Health Assembly to bar Russia from assembling, that doesn’t mean the country hasn’t conceded any ground. In the past year, the WHO’s dissent against Russia has been surprisingly pronounced.
In a statement released in February 2019, the WHO’s then-chief of communications Nyka Alexander stated that the organisation would be trying to distance itself from Russia. Alexander has since left the WHO due to her critical stance against Russia, which affected her working relationships within the organisation. This public dispute also caused Russia to resign as a delegate for the WHO’s Executive Board, stating that the WHO is too closely tied to its donors’ interests.
Will the WHO Sideline Russia Over Ukraine Now?
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has come to the notice of the WHO and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and has pushed global organisations to take a stand. The WHO has been at the forefront of emphasising impartiality, and it has remained keen to continue its relationship with Russia, not wanting to disrupt potential long-term effects on creating a health-literate society that is open to WHO-support.
However, the Organisation has seen clear needs to distance itself from Russia, removing the country from its influence to ensure future health security, sustain its impartiality and uphold its values. In the last year, the WHO is already making agreements to construct a basic health infrastructure in Ukraine, and strategic investment plans are in the works to help strengthen Ukraine’s health system.
In the short-term, the WHO is unlikely to fully sideline Russian involvement in health-related issues, as to do so would surely create detrimental effects and halt progress being made within the arena. In the long-term, however, the Organisation is more than likely to take a tougher stance against Russia’s conduct in Ukraine and potentially reduce the amount of support it receives from the Organization. An outright ban on Russia’s presence would be a drastic measure and is something which the WHO is unlikely to do, though if Russia continues to cross lines than the WHO may be left with no other option. Regardless, it is an issue which will demand scrutiny and attention from the WHO and one whose outcome remains uncertain.
