The Soviet Union took an active role in the United Nations and other major international and regional organizations.

[2] The Soviet Union insisted that there be veto rights in the Security Council and that alterations in the United Nations Charter be unanimously approved by the five permanent members.

[3] The USSR initially protested the membership of the Philippines and British India, whose independence was then largely theoretical.

[5][page needed] The Russians believed strongly in the veto power, and insisted it be part of the United Nations Security Council.

The Soviet Union supported the Communist government of mainland China, leading to conflict with the West.

The Security Council sided with the United States and deemed the Communist government of People's Republic of China (PRC) to be illegitimate and denied their delegation from entering the United Nations until 1971 when China's seat was transferred to the Communist government of PRC.

[1] Yakov Malik was the sole Soviet representative that walked out of the United Nations, and announced that they would be boycotting further Security Council meetings.

These states, which became the majority in the General Assembly and other bodies, were increasingly receptive to Soviet anti-imperialist appeals.

The Soviet Union announced in September 1987 that it would pay back a portion of its debt to the United Nations.

[9] During the Mikhail Gorbachev era, the Soviet Union made repeated suggestions for increasing United Nations involvement in the settlement of superpower and regional problems and conflicts.

Ambassador Vorontsov continued serving as the first Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations.