Moscow categorically rejects Germany's ambition to obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Russia's UN representative, Vasili Nebenzja, said in an interview broadcast on Russian state television on Friday.
If the Security Council were to be reformed, some countries would never be able to obtain a permanent seat, even if they aspired to do so, the Russian diplomat argued. "We are talking in particular about Germany and Japan," he added.
The UN has been discussing the renewal of the 15-member Security Council for years. India and African countries in particular are hoping for a permanent seat, while the German government, too, has long wanted one.
For a time, Russia appeared to be in favour of such a reform, but tensions between Moscow and Western countries have increased considerably following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Five countries have permanent seats on the Security Council - China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States. Each of these countries has veto power and can therefore block any expansion of the Council.
