“There are some issues we have always taken a clear position on. Positions not all UN member states share. There’s our rock-solid support for Ukraine. It is no secret that Russia does not want such a voice at the table in the Security Council that campaigned against us,” he said.

Germany lost out to Austria and Portugal, which won the two available seats for the Western European and Others Group. Wadephul described the result as a setback and pointed to several factors behind the outcome.

“Obviously, the result is a real disappointment. It’s a bitter defeat... Germany entered late, meaning we were at a disadvantage from the start,” he said.

He also linked the result to Germany’s “historical responsibility” toward Israel amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East .

Germany received 104 votes, while Portugal secured 134 and Austria 131. Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were also elected to the council.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Portugal and Austria following the vote, saying Germany “remains a reliable pillar of multilateralism” despite the loss.

The UN Security Council consists of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.