In a request submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and published this week, Russia accused the UN agency of abandoning its neutrality due to "external pressures."
Russia added that the agency is acting in favor of a "small group of beneficiaries," affecting fair treatment for all member states.
The International Maritime Organization, based in London, is responsible for regulating international shipping safety, preventing pollution, and includes 175 member states.
In December, the organization's General Assembly, its highest governing body meeting every two years, will elect 40 countries to the executive council overseeing its work.
Ukraine seeks to oust Russia from the organization's council due to its invasion last year.
Russia, a member of the IMO since 1958 and continuously re-elected to council membership, stated in a nomination submission to the organization on September 21st, published last Monday, that it seeks re-election this year.
Russia's delegation in the organization stated, "It is evident that due to external pressures, the International Maritime Organization has begun to deviate from neutrality, taking sides in international affairs, dedicating more of its valuable time to political matters, largely outside its strictly defined mandate."
They added, "It is evident that the International Maritime Organization is being used for the benefit of a small group of beneficiaries at the expense of the majority of states."
Russia did not provide details on how the organization's role had changed or specify which entity it claimed was pressuring it.
They stated that they aim to contribute to the organization's efforts in these challenging times, emphasizing that the balance within the organization has been disrupted, including fair treatment of the interests of all member states.
A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization stated that the organization's secretariat does not comment on submissions or memoranda from member states.
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