United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the world’s leading powers to acknowledge that their ability to influence global affairs has diminished, highlighting recent conflicts involving Russia and the United States as evidence of shifting power dynamics.

In an interview, Guterres pointed to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which Moscow had anticipated would be brief but has instead resulted in a protracted and costly conflict. He emphasized that this scenario illustrates the limited capacity of even major powers to impose their will unilaterally in contemporary conflicts.

Guterres also referenced ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. He noted that despite U.S. and Israeli military actions aimed at compelling Tehran to yield, Iran has maintained its stance, including taking measures such as closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The secretary-general said these developments further show how the influence of traditional superpowers is being challenged.

During his decade-long tenure, Guterres has presided over a period in which the United Nations’ role as an effective mediator in international disputes has declined. Some current and former UN officials argue that this shift coincides with a reduced emphasis on diplomatic visibility in war zones. Instead, Guterres’ focus has increasingly turned toward broader global issues, including climate change and social challenges.

Guterres acknowledged the difficulties the UN faces in actively mediating conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. He attributed much of this challenge to paralysis within the UN Security Council, where the United States and Russia — two of the five permanent members with veto power — have used their vetoes to block decisive action while pursuing their respective strategic interests.

This dynamic, Guterres said, has fostered a "sense of impunity" among members of the international community, weakening the UN’s leverage. Without a functioning Security Council capable of enforcing accountability, he warned, there is less ability to compel nations to adhere to agreed norms or face consequences for violations. The evolving global landscape, he said, requires superpowers to recalibrate their expectations and approach to international leadership.