Russia’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council in April is “a slap in the face to the international community,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Saturday. The ruler had already called the Russian presidency “a bad joke”.
“I urge the current members of the Security Council to prevent any Russian attempt to abuse the presidency,” Kuleba said at the start of Russia’s term as rotating chairman.
In a statement on Twitter, Kuleba called Russia “an outlaw in the United Nations Security Council”.
Moscow has said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to chair a Security Council meeting on “effective multilateralism” later this month. A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry also said Lavrov will lead a debate on the Middle East on April 25.
The United States has criticized Russia’s role and its permanent seat on the Security Council.
“A country that flagrantly violates the UN Charter and invades its neighbor has no place in the United Nations Security Council,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier. “Unfortunately, Russia is a permanent member of the Council and there is no viable international legal avenue to change this reality,” he added, calling the presidency “a ceremonial position.”
Kuleba previously called the Russian presidency “a bad joke”.
The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly between the 15 member states. Moscow last chaired the Council in February 2022. Russia will have little influence, but will be responsible for the agenda.
Source: DN
