Russian presidency of Security Council ‘a terrible joke’, Ukraine
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said in one of his tweets that Putin is a war criminal and wanted by the ICC for child abduction. He further wrote that the world can never be safe with Russia in the Security Council.
Ukraine has described handing over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to Russia as “a terrible joke”. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Koliba wrote in one of his tweets, “The Russian presidency of the UN Security Council since April 1 is a terrible joke.” Russia has usurped its seat. It has started a neo-demographic war. Its leader is a war criminal and wanted by the ICC for child abduction.” He added, “With Russia in the UNSC, the world could never be a safer place.”
The presidency of the Security Council rotates between its fifteen members every month. Russia will have little influence on the decisions of the Security Council, although it can set the agenda as its head. The Kiev government has demanded that Russia be expelled from the Security Council over its attack on Ukraine in February last year. Russia last chaired the council in February 2022, when the Kremlin ordered troops to Ukraine.
The Kremlin said in a statement on Friday, ahead of taking over the presidency of the Security Council, that Russia intends to exercise all the rights afforded by the role.
The US, meanwhile, urged Russia to “behave in a professional manner” while holding the post. The US said there was no way to prevent Russia from taking over the presidency. The presidency of the Council will be held by Russia for the month of April, after which it will be replaced by Switzerland. Russia’s presidency comes after Mozambique.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, said Russia’s assumption of the Security Council presidency was a “symbolic blow to the rules-based system of international relations”.